Azolla based complete feed block on growth, nutrient utilisation and blood biochemicals of Beetal X Assam hill goat kids

Abstract

Background: Incorporating low-cost, unconventional, highly nutrient-rich Azolla in feed blocks will reduce the cost of feeding while achieving better growth performance in goat. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four (24) Beetal x Assam Hill Goat kids were divided randomly into four equal groups. The control (T0) group was fed with Complete Feed Block consisting of Napier grass and concentrate mixture. The T1, T2 and T3groups were fed with feed blocks where the concentrate mixture was replaced with dried Azolla (Azolla pinnata) at 10, 20 and 30 percent levels, respectively. The feed blocks of different groups T0, T1, T2 and T3 had 13.01, 13.01, 13.02 and 13.01 percent DCP and 69.98, 69.47, 68.20 and 68.10 percent TDN, respectively. Result: The total and average daily feed intake differed significantly (p