Effect of defaunation on the growth rate and nutrient utilization in growing male kids fed tree leaves-based ration

Removal of protozoa from the rumen has been shown to be associated with imp roved protein to energy ratio under certain dietary regimes and concomitant ly beneficial to the ruminants productivity: The effect of defaunation on y oung goats under present experiment indicated higher dry matter intake acid better feed conversion efficiency on Azadirachta indica and Ficus bengalen sis tree leaves-based diets. Nonsignificant higher values of digestibility of nutrients, with respect to dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, cr ude fibre, ether extracts and nitrogen free extract were also reported from defaunated goats on both the diets. The results indicated that defaunation may improve productivity from young goats on tree leaves-based diet.