Effect of Feeding Moringa Oliefera Leaves on Growth Performance of Barbari Goat Kids

Abstract

The present study entitled “Effect of feeding Moringa (Moringa oliefera) leaves on growth performance of Barbari goat” was conducted at Instructional Livestock Farm Complex (ILFC) unit II, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh, Modipuram, Meerut, India. For the study, eighteen yearling female Barbari goats purchased under RKVY funded project “Establishment of goat unit for conservation and revitalization of superior germplasm of Barbari goat” of uniform age and conformation were selected. They were allocated into three groups with six animals per treatment using completely randomized block design. The group T1 was kept as control and fed roughage and commercially available readymade concentrate feed. The groups T2 and T3, had replacement of the concentrate mixture by dried Moringa oleifera leaves at 05 percent and 10 percent levels, respectively, which was thoroughly mixed and supplied to the animals. The results of the study showed that there was an overall improvement in the dry matter intake in Moringa fed treatment groups. The mean daily body weight gain was higher in group T2 followed by group T1 and control group. There was an overall increase in feed conversion efficiency in Barbari goats under treatment groups in comparison to control group. On comparing the economics among groups, it was found that the income, net profit and net profit per kg live body weight gain was highest in group T3 followed by group T2 and T1. The cost- benefit ratio for group T1, T2 and T3 was 0.79, 0.83 and 1.02, respectively and input- output ratio was 01:1.8, 01:1.8 and 01:2.1 for group T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The results of study suggested beneficial effects of inlusion of moringa as replacement to concentrate in diet of growing goats.