PERFORMANCE OF PASHMINA (CHEGHU) GOATS FED ON OAK (QUERCUS-SEMECARPIFOLIA) LEAVES

A study was carried out (375 days) in the outer Himalayas (29 degrees 25'N and 79 degrees 35'E) where the agroclimate for the major part of the year is cold and humid. Nine male pashmina (Cheghu) kids, (aged 5- 6 months) with mean body weight 11.3 +/- 0.5 kg, were randomly assigne d to three groups of three animals each in a completely randomized des ign, Animals were fed a concentrate mixture along with ad lib. oats ha y (Group I) or freshly lopped green oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) leave s (Groups II and III), while Groups I and II were provided CP and TDN requirements (as per NRC recommendations), animals in Group III were g iven 16% higher CP. A metabolism trial was conducted 270 days post exp erimental feeding. DM intake, average daily gain (ADG), pashmina fibre yield, urinary N excretion, N balance, N retention as % of N absorbed , rumen liquor pH and TCA soluble N did not differ significantly among groups. Digestibility of DM, CP, EE, NDF and ADF was significantly de pressed in Group II as compared with Group I. Between Groups I and III , digestibility of CP and EE was comparable but DM, NDF and ADF digest ibilities were higher (P < 0.01) in Group I. Though total N intake was higher (P < 0.01) in Group III as compared with Groups I and II, N-ba lance was similar (P > 0.05) in all groups. Between Groups I and III, mean values of VFA and various N fractions in strained rumen liquor we re identical except TCA ppt, N, which was increased (P < 0.01) in Grou p I. No lesions of any significance were found in the vital organs of the animals in the various groups. The depressing effect of oak leaves on digestibility of nutrients could be ameliorated by providing highe r CP content in the diet of animals, It may, therefore, be concluded t hat 25-30% CP in the diet of pashmina goats can safely be furnished by oak leaves without affecting their health and production.