Nutritional Evaluation of Green Mulberry (Morus multicaulis) Leaves in Sheep

Mulberry (Morus multicaulis) leaves were analyzed for chemical composition and nutritive value. The leaves contained 16.57% CP, 7.38% EE, 15.50% CF, 33.10% NDF, 23.04% ADF, 2.10 % calcium and 0.20% phosphorus. These leaves were fed to six healthy Corriedale rams of about 2 years age (45 kg BW) for 28 days followed by a 5-day metabolism trial. The leaves contained 10.16% digestible crude protein (DCP), 66.10% total digestible nutrients (TDN). The percent dry matter (DM) intake was 3.44 kg. Average digestibility of coefficient of CP, EE, CF,NFE, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose were 61.32, 58.33,76.74, 76.60, 62.88, 52.65, 70.55 and 55.39, respectively. All the animals were in positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Blood parameters and rumen metabolites were within the normal range. But there was decrease in blood urea level and increase in creatinine, alkaline phosphatase activity and rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N ) after feeding of mulberry leaves. Total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and TCA-Ppt.N remained unchanged after feeding. It was concluded that green mulberry leaves are palatable and can be used as an alternative source for maintenance diet of sheep.