Replacement of Concentrate Mixture with Dried Azolla on Milk Yield and Quality in Barbari Does

Twelve Barbari goats in 2-3rd lactation at post weaning stage were fed with complete pellet (control and treatment) for 6 wks using CRD with six does per treatment. Control pellet was having gram straw and concentrate mixture in 60: 40 while in treatment pellet a part of concentrate was replaced with sundried azolla. Digestion trial was conducted after 4 wks of experimental feeding. Blood and rumen fluid was collected at the end of experimental feeding. Daily feed intake and milk production was recorded. The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter was statistically similar in control (60.67 and 62.63) and treatment group (54.07 and 56.48) of goats. The digestibility of other nutrients was also statistically similar for both the group of goats. Ruminal pH, TVFA and various nitrogenous fractions (Ammonia-N, Total-N, TCA-ppt N and Non protein-N) were similar in control and treatment group of lactating goats. Serum protein and their fractions were within normal range in both the group of lactating goats. The feed intake was statistically similar in both the group. The average milk production (ml/day) in treatment group (490.78) was 19.87% more as compared to control group of goats (409.43) during experimental feeding. The different milk constituents like fat, SNF, protein lactose were also similar in both the group. Present study concluded that sundried azolla meal can be incorporated in the ration of lactating goat.