Title: Effect of feeding hydroponics maize fodder on intake and digestibility of nutrients in goats

Authors: Vishnu Sharma, Monika Karnani, Manish Kumawat and Anita

Source: Ruminant Science (2017)-6(1):95-97.

Cite this reference as: Sharma Vishnu, Karnani Monika, Kumawat Manish and Anita (2017). Effect of feeding hydroponics maize fodder on intake and digestibility of nutrients in goats. Ruminant Science 6(1):95-97.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional benefits of feeding hydroponic maize fodder on goats. Twelve adult female goats with body weight of 25±0.78 kg were divided into two treatment groups (six goats each) and offered 250 g concentrate mixture and ad lib. wheat straw along with either 2 kg fresh conventional maize fodder (TCMF) or 2 kg hydroponic maize fodder (T-HMF) for 60 days in a feeding trial and 7 days in a digestion trial. A significant (P<0.01) improvement in dry matter intake (DMI) was observed in T-HMF group. Digestibility of DM, CP, EE, CF and NFE was lower not higher (P<0.05) for goats fed T-HMF. Therefore, it may be concluded that feeding of hydroponic maize fodder to goats increases the total DMI leading to improved animal performance.

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