ANN 121: Applied Animal Nutrition-I (2+1)

INTRODUCTION

• Goats are regarded as "Poor Man's Cow". In India total goat population is about 121 millions, which is about 20% of total goat population in the world.
• In India about 1/3rd goat population is contributed by desi and unrecognised breeds which have low potential for meat, milk and hair production.

• We have a scanty availability of pasture land, and lack in irrigation facilities for nutritious fodder production.
• Therefore careful attention is required to be given regarding feeding of goats.

Common Feeds and fodders for goats

• Tree Leaves: Babul, Neem, Pipal, Mango, Prosopis, Gliricidia, Mulberry, Subabul, Banyan etc. These tree leaves are also called as top feed.
• Grasses: Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus setigerus, Para, Guinea ,Napier etc.
• Legume pastures: Stylosanthes hamata, Stylo santhes scabra, Siratro, butterfly pea, etc.
• Legume fodders: Berseem, Lucerne, Cowpea, etc.
• Cereal fodders: Maize, Jowar, Oats etc.
• Dry feeds: Dry pods of babul (acacia), Prosopis juliflora, Rain tree, Subabul; Cereal straw, legumes straws (groundnut haulms, gram straw), gram husk and gram waste.
• In addition a free choice lick of mineral mixture has to be kept in goats shed.