Effect of feeding Moringa oleifera dried leaves on growth performance, blood biochemical status and economy of production in Barbari goats

Abstract

A three-months feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding Moringa oleifera leaves asreplacement to concentrate in the ration of growing goat. Eighteen female Barbari goats of uniform age andconformation (16.65 ± 1.20 kg; 11 to 13 months) were divided randomly into three groups. The animals incontrol group (T ) were fed basal diet consisting of roughage and concentrate in equal proportion, whereas in 1treatment groups T and T the concentrate mixture was partially replaced with dried leaves at 2 3 Moringa oleifera05% and 10% levels, respectively. Significantly (P<0.01) higher average daily feed intake was recorded in T 3group compared to T and T groups. Mean daily body weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) higher in T group, 1 2 3than T and T . The biochemical parameters showed significant (P<0.01) lowering in blood cholesterol in T 2 1 3and a significant (P<0.05) elevation in total protein and globulin at the end of experiment. The cost-benefitanalysis of dietary treatment showed that it was 0.79, 0.83 and 1.02 for T , T and T , respectively. It was 1 2 3concluded that dried Moringa oleifera leaves could replace up to 10% of concentrate in growing goats withoutimpairing their performance and health status, while reducing the cost of feed.