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2011 Issues

ANFT JANUARY 2011 ISSUES 01

ABSTRACT

Panda, A.K., Rama Rao, S.V., Raju, M.V.L.N., Reddy, M.R. and Shyam Sunder, G. 2011. Response of Vanaraja breeder (male line) chicks to dietary concentrations of lysine and methionine. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 1-8. The effect of dietary concentrations of lysine (Lys) and methionine (Met) on performance of Vanaraja breeder (male line) chicks was studied. Nine diets were formulated to contain 3 different concentrations of Lys (0.9, 1.0 and 1.1%) and Met (0.35, 0.40 and 0.45%) each in factorial manner. Each experimental diet was fed ad libitum to eight replicates of six chicks each during 0-6 weeks of age. Neither the concentrations of Lys and Met nor the interaction between them influenced body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cell mediated immune response, activity of alkaline phosphatase in serum, giblet weight and weight of immune organs (spleen and bursa). However, levels of Lys in the diet significantly influenced serum concentrations of protein, activity of AST and ALT, and dressed weight. Higher concentration of protein and better dressed yield was observed in the diet containing 1.0% Lys. Dietary Met (0.4%) contents significantly influenced both feed consumption and humoral immune response (antibody titre to sheep RBC). No interaction effect was observed for any of the parameters studied except AST activity in serum and abdominal fat content of the carcass. It is concluded that Vanaraja breeder (male line) chicks require 1% lysine (Lys: CP–0.05) and 0.4% methionine (Met: CP–0.02) in diet for realizing optimum performance during 0 to 6 weeks of age.

Key words: Lysine, Methionine, Performance, Vanaraja breeder (male line) chicks.

*Corresponding author: akpanda59@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

Ondiek, J.O., Abdulrazak, S.A. and Njoka, E.N. 2011. Effects of feeding Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) hay with graded levels of Zizyphus mucronata on voluntary feed intake, nutrient utilization, nitrogen balance and body weight gains in growing small east African goats. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 9-17.
The effects of supplementing Chloris gayana hay with Zizyphus mucronata on feed intake, nutrient utilization, nitrogen balance and bodyweight changes in Small East African Goats was evaluated. Five treatment diets of Z. mucronata were offered in a RCBD graded levels at 0, 15, 20, 25, and 30 g DM per kgW0.75. The CP, NDF and ADF contents of Z. mucronata was 200, 393 and 222g per kg DM, respectively. The DMI ranged between 431 to 638 g/d increasing with supplementation (P<0.05) but digestibility of dm, om, adf and ndf was similar. digestibility of cp was lowest for the control and highest for animals supplemented at 25g per kgw0.75 and the rest were not statistically different. average daily gains (adg) were lowest for the control and increased with supplementation being 7.7, 17.5, 34.0, 29.6 and 26.9 g />d, respectively. Rumen ammonia nitrogen ranged from 6.81 to 6.91 mg/100 ml and showed no difference (P>0.05). The nitrogen intake and feacal N excretion differed with treatments (P<0.05) with the highest n retention levels of 7.28 g />d. It is concluded that Z. mucronata can be used as a protein supplement for growing Small East African goats at 20g per kgW0.75 with a potential of gaining 34 g/d.

Key words: Nutritive value, Feed intake, Digestibility, Nitrogen balance, Average daily gains

*Corresponding author: ondiekjo2002@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology Adugodi, Bangalore-560 030, India
Twenty Indian studies pertaining to feeding of undegradable dietary protein (UDP) on milk production in lactating cows were selected. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to safeguard against the selection bias, only fourteen studies could be considered for conducting a meta-analysis. All the data included in the present study were from experiments conducted under iso-caloric diets and early to mid lactation with medium milk production (around 10 kg). The bypass protein intake was converted to UDP intake g/animal/day as input variable and milk yield was converted to 4% FCM (fat corrected milk) in order to achieve uniformity in study results. The UDP intake (g/animal/day) was categorized into 0-100, 101-200, 201-300, 301-400, 401-500 and 501-600. A database on UDP intake (g/animal/day), milk yield (kg) and fat % were developed based on the studies selected. The data were analyzed using the Meta-calculator. The results indicated increase in milk yield as the UDP intake was increased. The amount of 4% FCM was 6.62 kg (SD: 0.43) at 0-100 g UDP intake and progressively increased to 10 kg when the UDP intake was >600 g/animal/day. The milk production response was observed to be quadratic i.e. milk production increased with increasing UDP intake and thereafter milk production showed decreasing trend for unit increase in UDP levels. From the meta-analysis of the data, it could be concluded that feeding of UDP is beneficial in increasing milk yield and the optimum level of UDP required for production of 10 kg 4% FCM among Indian cattle is about 571 g/animal/day.

Key words: Bypass protein, UDP, Milk yield, Milk fat, Meta-analysis.

*Corresponding author: ragha0209@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Dubey, C.S., Mondal, B.C., Tiwari, D.P., Kumar, A. and Yadav, C.L. 2011. Effect of plane of nutrition on nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical parameters and immune response in Haemonchus contortus infected sheep. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 27-39.
Eighteen Muzaffarnagari adult sheep, aged 11-13 months and average body weight of 28.90 kg infected with of Haemonchus contortus divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each were fed three levels of concentrate mixture (groundnut cake and wheat bran in 70: 30 ratio) i.e. low plane (200 g), medium plane (300 g) and high plane (400 g) to groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, along with ad libitum mixed green fodder (green maize+grasses) to discern the effect on nutrient utilization, certain haemato-biochemical parameters and immune response. The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. There was significantly higher daily dry matter, TDN and DCP intakes (P<0.05) in sheep of group 3 and 2 than group 1. digestibility coefficients for dm, om, cp and nfe were significantly (p<0.01) higher in sheep fed high plane and medium plane of concentrate mixture. Blood samples collected from each animal on 0, 30th, 60th and 90th day post feeding periods showed that total erythrocyte counts and differential leukocyte counts were not affected significantly due to plane of nutrition and values were within the normal physiological range, however, lymphocyte (P<0.01) and neutrophil (P<0.05) counts differed significantly at the start of feeding trial and later on the values did not differ among the groups. The eosinophil counts were significantly (P<0.01) lower in group 3 on 60 days of feeding, whereas on 90th day, sheep in groups 2 and 3 had lowered eosinophil counts. Serum globulin concentration in response to H. contortus infection was influenced much in high plane of nutrition as compared to low plane. The antibody titer in sheep of groups 2 and 3 was significantly (P<0.01) higher as compared to group 1 from 30 day feeding trial onwards. The over all average faecal egg counts in the experimental sheep were significantly (P<0.05) lower in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1. It was concluded that higher plane of nutrition improved nutrient utilization and immune status in sheep infected with H. contortus.

Key words: Haemato-biochemical constituents, Immune status, Nutrient utilization, Haemonchus contortus, Sheep.

*Corresponding author: mondal_bc@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Olafadehan, O.A. 2011. Haematological parameters, serum constituents and organ development of growing rabbits as affected by feeding of processed cassava peels. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11:41-51.
The effects of feeding ensiled, sun-dried and retted cassava peel meal on the blood constituents and organ development were studied using growing rabbits in a 9-week experiment. Four diets were formulated such that the control diet did not contain cassava peel meal (CPM) while the three other diets contained 200 g/kg of ensiled cassava peel meal (ECPM), sun-dried cassava peel meal (SCPM) and retted cassava peel meal (RCPM), respectively. Thirty-two rabbits, aged 6 week-old of mixed breeds, were allocated to a completely randomized design, with eight animals per treatment. The rabbits were slaughtered and used for the blood constituents and organ development study. All the processed CPM had much lower concentration of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) than the unprocessed CPM indicating the efficacy of the processing methods. Among the processed CPM, HCN concentration was highest in ECPM, intermediate in SCPM and lowest in RCPM. With the exception of neutrophil and eosinophil, other haematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. while the diets had no (p<0.05) effect on serum creatinine and urea, total and conjugated bilirubin, serum glutamate oxalotransaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and glucose were (P<0.05) varied by the diets. However, all studied haematological indices and serum metabolites were within the reported range for normal rabbits. Relative weights of selected organs were similar (P>0.05) among the treatments. It is concluded that inclusion of 20% ECPM, SCPM and RCPM had no deleterious effect on the health status and organ development of the growing rabbits.

Key words: Cassava peel meal, Haematology, Hydrogen cyanide, Organ development, Rabbits.

*Corresponding author: oaolafadehan@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Kiran, D., Krishnamoorthy, U., Manju, G.L. and Manjunath, V. 2011. Relationship between gas production, true degraded organic matter and microbial biomass synthesis for protein feedstuffs as influenced by incubation time in the in vitro gas production. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 53-62.
Five protein feedstuffs, namely ambadi (Hibiscus cannabinus) cake, cottonseed meal, groundnut meal, rapeseed meal, and sesame meal were evaluated using the in vitro gas production technique, for fermentation stoichiometry, gas production, true digested organic matter (TDOM) and microbial biomass (MB) synthesis at incubation time of half asymptotic gas production (t1/2) and 24 h. The mean molar ratio of short chain fatty acids (c2:c3:c4) for the protein supplements at t1/2 and 24 h were 0.71:0.20:0.09 and 0.72:0.19:0.09, respectively. The mean gas production (ml/g DM) at t1/2 and 24 h were 101.2 and 196.3 respectively, whereas the TDOM (mg/g DM) at the corresponding incubations were 578.6 and 657.5. Similarly, mean partitioning factor (PF) at t1/2 (5.87) was significantly (P<0.0001) higher than at 24 h (3.37). the mb (mg />g DM) in the apparent undigested residue in the incubations was 172.8 and 100.0 at t1/2 and 24 h, whereas the RNA equivalents (mg/g DM) for the corresponding incubations were 9.69 and 7.45, respectively. However, the ratio of RNA: MB at t1/2 and 24 h were 0.0581 and 0.0808, respectively (P=0.0257). The disproportionate increase in gas production against the increase in TDOM at 24 h compared to at t1/2 with similar fermentation stoichiometry at both incubations is explainable by the unfermented OM at t1/2 that is solubilized by the ND extraction, thereby contributing to TDOM. Thus the artifact caused by solubilization of unfermented OM at t1/2 could equal to or greater than the artifact caused by microbial lysis up to 24 h incubation. It is concluded that, for protein feedstuffs, the t1/2 may not be the most appropriate time for determination of PF as an index of microbial biomass synthesis efficiency.

Key words: Microbial biomass, Incubation time, Partitioning factor.

*Corresponding author: kirandoranalli@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Bolu, S.A., Sola-Ojo, F.E., Olorunsanya, O.A. and Adekola, O.G. 2011. Effect of graded levels of melon seed (Citrullus lanatus) cake on the performance, carcass evaluation and blood parameters of broiler chicken. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 63-70.
InA 42-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate Melon Seed Cake (MSC) as dietary protein source in broiler diets. Four diets were formulated to contain MSC at 0, 10, 20 and 30 per cent dietary levels. One hundred, day–old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were used for the study in a Completely Randomised Design. Feed intake, weight gain and feed to gain ratio were significantly affected by dietary levels of MSC (P<0.05). birds fed diet with 0% msc consumed more feed (p<0.05). Weight gain was significantly different (P<0.05), highest weight gained was observed among birds fed 10% MSC inclusion level, there were no significant (P<0.05) feed to gain ratio across the dietary treatment. Values for haematological and blood serum chemistry differed significantly (P<0.05). Birds fed 30% MSC had the highest packed cell volume, red blood cells and, lymphocytes. Highest glucose level was observed at 10% MSC levels, while highest uric acid, alkaline phosphate, glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase were observed at 30% MSC inclusion level, those on 20% MSC had more serum protein. Significant (P<0.05) differences existed in nutrient retention across the dietary treatment. Melon seed cake is recommended at 10% inclusion level in broiler diets.

Key words: Melon Seed Cake, Broiler, Diet.

*Corresponding author: bolusao2002@yahoo.co.uk

ABSTRACT

Pawar, M. M., Pattanaik, A.K., Kumar, P., Sharma, K. and Goswami, T.K. 2011. Metabolic and immunological response in dogs fed homemade diet with augmented nutrient profile. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 71-80.
Metabolic and immunological response was assessed in ten Spitz pups, divided into two groups, fed on homemade diet. The control group was fed with rice and milk based homemade diet and experimental group with augmented composition to optimize the nutrient profile as per AAFCO (1994) recommendation. The feeding trial was continued for a period of 150 days. Cell-mediated immune (CMI) response was assessed at 110 d of study, by measuring the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to intra-dermal inoculation of phytohaemagglutinin-p (PHA-p) mitogen. Further, lymphocyte subsets were assessed by fluorescent activated cell sorter technique. Humoral immune response was assessed by inoculation of Leptospira antigen at 120 d post-feeding, and subsequently measuring levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in serum collected at 0, 7, 14 and 28 days of post-inoculation. To assess the blood metabolites and erythrocytic antioxidants, cephalic vein blood samples were collected at monthly intervals. Dietary treatment did not show any effect (P>0.05) on CMI assessed through DTH response to PHA-p. Significant variations were also noticed in the population of CD4, CD8 and CD4: CD8 ratio. The level of serum IgG was higher (P<0.05) in experimental group than in control group. data on metabolic indices revealed higher (p<0.05) levels of haemoglobin, plasma total protein, calcium and phosphorus accompanied by increased erythrocytic antioxidants viz. catalase and total thiol groups in experimental group compared to control group. However, the levels of plasma lipid profile, urea and creatinine were found to be significantly (P<0.05) lower in experimental group than the control. Results suggested improvement in health of dogs by optimizing the nutrient profile of rice-milk based homemade diet.

Key words: Dogs, Homemade diet, Immune response, Blood metabolites, Erythrocytic antioxidants.

*Corresponding author: akpattanaik1@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Kulkarni, R.C., Shrivastava, H.P., Mandal, A.B., Deo, C., Deshpande, K.Y., Singh, R. and Bhanja, S.K. 2011. Assessment of growth performance, immune response and mineral retention in colour broilers as influenced by dietary iron. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 81-90.
An experiment was undertaken to evaluate the relative efficacy of chelated or organic ferrous aminoate (FeA) vis-a-vis inorganic ferrous sulphate (FeS) at each 120, 140 and 160 mg Fe/kg diet in broiler chickens. Six test diets, in factorial design (2 sources x 3 levels), and one control (Fe unsupplemented basal diet) were offered ad libitum to quadruplicate groups of 8 straight-run colour broiler chicks each, giving total number of 32 chicks per treatment, from 0-6 weeks of age split into starter (0-3 weeks) and finisher (3-6 weeks) phases. The response criteria included growth performance, immune response and mineral retention. The supplementation of FeS yielded significantly higher body weight gain (BWG) with improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to FeA. Among the levels, 120 mg/ kg Fe accrued significantly higher BWG with improved FCR as compared to other levels. The immune response remained comparable due to different dietary sources or levels of Fe. Significantly higher bursal was seen at 120 and 140 mg Fe/kg diet from FeA than in control group. Carcass traits including relative weight of giblet remained comparable amongst dietary treatments. The Fe sources and levels did not affect retention of Ca, Cu and P, but had significantly better Fe retention in FeA fed groups than FeS. It was concluded that dietary supplementation of iron as organic ferrous aminoate yielded better immune status, while for better growth performance inorganic form as ferrous sulphate was superior. It is concluded that the mineral utilization was not afected due to the source of iron.

Key words: Colour broilers, Chelates, Ferrous aminoate, Mineral retention, Performance.

*Corresponding author: kramvet23@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Garg, M.R., Bhanderi, B.M. and Gupta, S.K. 2011. A study on availability of various mineral elements in Milch buffaloes. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 91-102.
A study was carried out to assess dietary macro and micro-minerals status of milch buffaloes in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala districts, under Central Plain Zone of Punjab. Feeds and fodder samples were collected at random from various locations. The average calcium (Ca) content in straws was low (0.28%). Green fodders such as berseem (1.82%), chikori (1.30%), mustard (1.59%) and rye grass (0.46%) were found to be rich source of Ca. Concentrate feed ingredients were particularly low (0.13%) in Ca, except for mustard cake (0.64%) in Ca. The phosphorus (P) content in crop residues and green fodders was 0.10 and 0.43 per cent, respectively. Concentrate feed ingredients were high (0.77%) in P. The sulphur (S) content was adequate in green fodder (0.31%), whereas, crop residues (0.18%) and concentrate ingredients (0.17%) were deficient. The average copper (Cu) content was low in straws (4.46 ppm) and moderate in green fodders (13.38 ppm) and concentrate feed ingredients (10 ppm). The cobalt (Co) was deficient in the diet of animals to the extent of 26 per cent; however, iron (average level >597 ppm) and manganese (average level > 63 ppm) in most of the feed ingredients were adequate, with the prevailing feeding practices. Zinc (Zn) was deficient in most of the feedstuffs (average level<44 ppm). from the present study, it was apparent that the levels of certain minerals such as ca, p, s, zn, cu and co were inadequate, as per the prevailing feeding practices and requirement of buffalo yielding daily 10 kg milk (6% fat) in the central plain zone of punjab.

Key words: Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc, Cobalt, Buffaloes

*Corresponding author: bhanderi@nddb.coop

ABSTRACT

Kumar, R., Kamra, D.N., Agarwal, N., Chaudhary, L.C. and Zadbuke, S.S. 2011. Effect of tree leaves containing plant secondary metabolites on in vitro methanogenesis and fermentation of feed with buffalo rumen liquor. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 103-114.
The leaves of Mangifera indica (mango), Eugenia jambolana (jamun), Aegle marmelos (bel), Zyzipus jujuba (ber), Azadirachta indica (neem) and Ficus religiosa (peepal) extracted in three solvents (water, ethanol and methanol) were tested for their effects on gas and methane production, in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) and rumen fermentation characteristics in an in vitro gas production test. Gas production per gram dry matter (DM) of a substrate (wheat straw and concentrate mixture in 1:1 ratio) reduced (P<0.05) with leaf extracts of e. jambolana and z. jujuba. the highest inhibition of methane production was observed with methanol extract (35.7% inhibition) followed by ethanol extract (23.2% inhibition) and water extract (9.2% inhibition) of m. indica leaves, but there was no effect on acetate to propionate ratio and ivtd of the feed with these extracts. methanol extract of e. jambolana also inhibited methane emission by 24.1%. ivtd of the feed decreased (p<0.05) with addition of the extracts of E. jambolana, A. marmelos and Z. jujuba leaves. Antiprotozoal activity was observed with M. indica, E. jambolana and A. indica leaf extracts which was mainly due to a reduction in spirotrichs counts, however, holotrichs were not affected. The results indicated that methanol extract of mango leaves (M. indica) appeared to have a potential to inhibit rumen methanogenesis without adversely affecting other rumen fermentation characteristics.

Key words: Tree leaves, Plant secondary metabolites, Methanogenesis, Buffalo

*Corresponding author: dnkamra@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

Dubey, M., Dutta, N., Sharma, K., Pattanaik, A.K., Banerjee, P.S. and Singh, M. 2011. Effect of condensed tannins supplementation from tanniferous tree leaves on in vitro nitrogen and substrate degradation. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 115-122.
This study was carried out to assess the effect of strategic use of condensed tannins (CT) from tanniferous tree leaves on the in vitro nitrogen and substrate degradation. Tanniferous tree leaves of Psidium guajava, Ficus bengalensis, and Ficus infectoria were selected as a potential CT sources and used at graded levels (0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0%) to protect the nitrogen degradation of mustard oil cake (MOC). Supplementation of CT @ 1-3 percent significantly (P<0.01) reduced the in vitro nitrogen degradation (0.87-0.51) irrespective of ct sources, however, nitrogen protection in the rumen was highest (p<0.01) at 3.0 percent CT inclusion followed by 2 and 1 percent CT levels. CT inclusion from all the three tropical tree leaves exerted similar effect on in vitro nitrogen degradability of MOC and reduced 39% in vitro nitrogen degradation of MOC. Gas volume produced in 24 h (ml/200 mg) and partioning factor were reduced significantly (P<0.01) with CT supplementation from 1 to 3% levels, though, efficiency of microbial-biomass production increased significantly (P<0.01). Truly degradable organic matter in rumen did not differ significantly (P>0.05) up to 2% CT inclusion. It may be concluded that condensed tannins from tanniferous tree leaves can be used effectively to protect the nitrogen degradation of mustard cake without any adverse effect on substrate degradation.

Key words: Condensed tannins, Mustard oil cake, Organic protectant, Tanniferous tree leaves.

*Corresponding author: dutta65@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Sandhya, A., Rajagopal, S., Tiwari, S.P. and Dubey, M. 2011. Rumen metabolic and blood biochemical profile of Sahiwal calves and Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves fed diet containing de-oiled sal (Shorea robusta) seed meal. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 123-131.
The study was conducted on fifteen male Sahiwal and fifteen male Murrah buffalo calves of about 12 months age. They were divided into three equal groups of five calves of Sahiwal and five calves of Murrah buffalo in each. In both the cases the animals were fed three concentrate mixtures, T1, T2, and T3. T1 is control without deoiled sal seed meal (DSSM), while T2 and T3 with 35% and 70% DSSM respectively. The other ingredients of concentrate mixture comprised of maize, peanut cake, deoiled rice bran, mineral mixture, salt and vitamin premix (Rovimix). The concentrate mixture contained CP 17% and TDN 65%.. Green Para grass (Brachiara mutica) was offered ad libitum as roughage to all the animals. There was maximum degradation of diet at 4 h followed by 8 and 12 h in both the species. The total volatile fatty acids, total nitrogen, ammonia N and TCA precipitable N concentration in rumen liquor was significantly low due to feeding of 70% DSSM in buffalo calves. In sahiwal calves significantly lower concentration of total N, NH3-N and TCA precipitable N was reported in T2 and T3 as compared to T1. The activity of carboxy methyl cellulase and urease enzyme in the rumen liquor was higher in T1 as compared to T2 and T3 although statistically non significant. Inclusion of DSSM to the levels 35% and 70% in the ration did not significantly alter the plasma protein, albumin, globulin, albumin: globulin ratio, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, AST, ALT and Alkaline phosphatase concentration in both the species. It is concluded that DSSM was better utilized in buffalo calves as compared to sahiwal calves.

Keywords: Deoiled sal seed meal, Rumen metabolite, Blood biochemical profile.

*Corresponding author: drsptiwari@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Dhuria, R.K., Sharma, T. and Purohit, G.R. 2011. Effect of densification of gram straw based complete feed on rumen and haemato-biochemical parameters in Magra lambs. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 11: 133-140.
Eight Magra lambs (4-5 m of age and 13.41±0.74 kg BW) were randomly divided into two equal groups and offered complete feed for 120 days containing gram straw (Cicer arietinum) and concentrate mixture in 60:40 ratio in loose and densified form as complete feed block prepared at 4000 psi. Rumen parameters viz., pH, total volatile fatty acids, rumen ammonia nitrogen and total protozoal count were estimated at 0 (before feeding), 3 and 6 h post feeding. Haemato biochemical constituents were also analyzed during 120 days of feeding at fortnightly intervals to adjudge the physiological status of the animals. There was no significant difference in pH, total volatile fatty acids and total protozoal count values among loose and densified form of complete feed fed groups. However, the time of sampling post feeding had significant effect on all the parameters. The rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration was significantly (P<0.01) higher in lambs fed complete feed in loose form than block fed group. regarding haemato biochemical parameters of blood, all the parameters viz., haemoglobin, packed cell volume, blood glucose and total serum protein were well with in the normal range and there was no significant difference among the loose and block form of complete feed. it is concluded that densification of gram straw based complete feed had no adverse effect on rumen and haemato biochemical parameters in magra lambs and complete feed blocks are as efficiently utilized as loose form of feed.

Keywords: Gram straw, Complete feed block, Magra lambs, Rumen fermentation.

*Corresponding author: dhuriark12@yahoo.co.in