In-vitro and In-vivo evaluation of different leguminous straw based rations on fermentation metabolites, growth and nutrient utilization in barbari kids

Present study evaluated three legume straw (cowpea-Vigna unguiculata, cluster bean-Cymopsis tetragonoloba and dolichos-Lablab purpureus) based rations on in vitro and in vivo rumen fermentation, voluntary intake, nutrients utilization and growth performance in weaned Barbari kids. The three substrates (Tj, T2 and T3) were prepared in the form of total mixed rations (TMR) containing any one of the straws @ 40%, concentrate mixture 40% (CP 14.5%, TDN 73.2%) and cowpea green fodder 20% (DM basis) and incubated for 48h at 39oC using PC based Biofermentor as rumen simulator. Eighteen Barbari kids (75 days, 6.84+0.05 kg BW) were randomly divided into three equal groups comprising 3 male, 3 female kids in each group. Kids were fed either cowpea (Gj), cluster bean (G2) or dolichos (G3) straw ad libitum along with concentrate mixture @ 2% of the body weight and limited quantity of available green fodder (300–500 g/kid/d). In vitro degradabilities of DM, OM and CP were similar among three substrates. Total VFAs, total-N and NH3-N in the incubation medium were greater (P<0.01) in T2 than other two substrates (Tj and T3). The DM, TDN and DCP intakes per kg W0 75 were similar among three treatments. CPI (g)/kg W0 75 was higher (P<0.01) in G1 as compared to other groups. The average daily gain (ADG) and FCR (kg DMI/kg gain) were also similar among all the groups. Although, there were some variations among three straws in respect of fermentation metabolites under simulated in vitro system but these straws behaved similarly with appreciable intake of nutrients and growth rate in weaned Barbari kids. Hence, anyone of the tested legume straws could be used as a basal dry roughage source for maintenance and growth of early growing kids.