Effects of feeding siris (Albizia lebbeck) and Arjun (Terminalia Arjuna) tree leaves on nutrient intake, utilization and milk yield in surti goats

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding siris (Albizia lebbeck) and arjun (Terminalia arjuna) tree leaves on digestibility, nutrient utilization and production performance of Surti goats during December 2016 to February 2017. Twenty-five lactating Surti goats were selected and randomly allotted to five equal groups as T1 control - sorghum fodder (600 g/head/day), T2 -siris (600 g/head/day), T3 -arjun (600 g/head/day), T4 -siris and arjun (300 g each/head/day) and T5 -siris (400 g/head/day) and arjun (200 g/head/day). Significant (P<0.05) increase in dry mater, crude protein and digestible crude protein intake was observed in T3 and T4 and T5 groups. Similarly, digestibility of crude protein and fibre fractions were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T3, T4 and T5. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balances were positive and comparable in all the groups. Blood biochemical and rumen metabolites were comparable among the groups and within the normal range. The feeding of tree leaves did not affect the milk yield and feed conversion efficiency. The feed cost was similar among different groups. It was concluded that replacement of sorghum with arjun and siris+arjun leaves increased digestibility and nutrient utilization in Surti goats without affecting palatability and cost of feed.