Performance of Goat Kids Fed Detoxified Castor Bean Meal Based Concentrate Feed Mixtures

Abstract

In order to study the performance of stall-fed goat kids fed concentrate mixture containing detoxified castor (Ricinus communis) bean meal (CBM), 12 non-descript male goat kids (3–4 months old) were assigned equally in completely randomized design to three concentrate feed mixtures (CFM). The CFM prepared using groundnut cake (GNC) served as the control and the test CFMs were prepared using either 4% lime-treated or 2% salt-treated CBM replacing 100% GNC-protein. All animals received their daily DM requirement in the form of their respective CFM to the extent of 80% of CP requirement while the chaffed finger millet straw was provided ad libitum for 260 days. The DM intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in test diets fed groups than in control. However, no significant difference was observed in ADG and FCR among different groups. The digestibility of proximate principles except CP was lower (P<0.05) in test diets compared to control. However, the digestibility of NDF and ADF as well as the retention of N, Ca and P were similar among different diets. The blood biochemical parameters viz., haemoglobin, SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, serum total protein, albumin and globulin at different intervals of the experiment also remained similar among different treatments. The feed cost/kg live weight gain was comparable between different groups. It was inferred that CBM after detoxification can substitute 100% protein of conventional oil cake both nutritionally and economically for chevon production.