Effect of utilization of corn cobs in total mixed ration on haematological, serum biochemical and rumen parameters of growing goats

Abstract

The study involved 18 Osmanabadi growing goats of 4-5 months of age which were divided into three equal groups viz., T0 (Control), T1 and T2, having six goats in each group. The goats in the control group (T0) were fed total mixed ration (Concentrate: 30 parts, Dry roughages- Jowar straw (Kadbikutti): 50 parts and Green roughages- DHN6: 20 parts) to provide nutrients as ICAR (2013) [8], whereas in the T1 group, goats were fed total mixed ration as per Group T0 where in Kadbikutti of dry roughage was replaced by corn cobs at 25% level, while in T2 group, the goats were fed total mixed ration as per Group T1 + fibrolytic enzymes @ 300g/ton of feed. The trial lasted for 90 days duration. The average haematological and serum biochemical parameters revealed no significant effect of feed treatments, except serum glucose levels which were significantly (P<0.01) higher in group T2 than group T0 and T?. All the rumen parameters were comparable among different groups. Thus, it is concluded that replacement of Kadbikuttiby 25% corn cobs in TMR along with supplementation of fibrolytic enzymes @ 300g/ton of feed showed no adverse effect on haematological, serum biochemical and rumen parameters of growing Osmanabadi goats.