Effect of Feeding Tanniniferous Acacia nilotica Pod Meal on Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Black Bengal Kids

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effect of supplementation of tannin rich feed on growth performance and nutrient utilization of goats fed on tanniniferous babul (Acacia nilotica) pod meal. For growth study twenty-four Black Bengal male kids (3.5 months, 6.50±1.50 kg BW) were distributed into four equal groups. The experimental animals were fed graded level of babul pod meal (0, 10, 20 and 30 percent) mixed in concentrate mixture equivalent to tannin concentration of 0, 1.91, 3.82 and 5.73 percent in control, T1, T2 and T3 diet, respectively. The intake of different nutrients was numerically higher in T2 group as compared to control. There were no significant changes (P>0.05) in respect of nutrient digestibility. The N balance was 38.0% higher in T2 group as compared to control. The ADG was 11.21 and 25.48 percent higher in T1 and T2 group as compared to control, whereas reduction in BW and ADG was noted in T3 group. The feed conversion efficiency was significantly (P<0.05) better in T2 than control and T3 group. The FCR in 20% babul pod meal supplemented group was 22.60% lower than control group. It is concluded that locally available tanniniferous babul pod could be used as a feed constituents in the diets of goats.