Vol. 10, Special Issue 2 (2021)

Author(s):
Manpreet and Jasmine Kaur

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of inclusion of rice gluten meal (RGM) as an alternate protein source in the diet of beetal goat kids on nutrient intake and economics of feeding. Conventional concentrate mixture was prepared (maize 38, SBM 25, wheat bran 15, deoiled rice bran 11.50, rice polish 7.50, mineral mixture 2.0 and common salt 1.0 part per 100 parts). Soybean meal (SBM) in the concentrate mixture was replaced by rice gluten meal (RGM) at 50 and 75% and 100% level on N basis. Four dietary treatments [control (0% RGM), T1 (25% RGM), T2 (50% RGM) and T3 (100% RGM) replacing SBM] were fed to sixteen beetal kids divided into four groups of 4 animals each for 60 days. The mean DM and OM intake was similar in all groups (C, T1, T2 and T3) and no significant difference was observed during 60 day study period. The mean EE intake was higher (P<0.05) in group T3 than other groups. The mean NDF and ADF intake in treatment groups was similar to that of control group. SBM replacement by RGM reduced the cost of concentrate mixtures fed to T1 (50% RGM), T2 (75% RGM) and T3 (100% RGM) groups by 4.52%, 7.75% and 8.90%, respectively as compared to concentrate mixture fed to control (0% RGM) group. RGM inclusion at 18.75% level (75% replacement of SBM) in the diet of beetal goat kids in T2 group over 60 days resulted in saving of Rs. 55.63 per kg body weight gain as compared to control group. It was concluded that RGM can economically replace SBM upto 75% in the concentrate mixture of beetal goat kids (inclusion level 18.75%) without any adverse effect on nutrient intake.