Effect of Replacement of Concentrate Mixture with Mulberry (Morus indica) Variety V-1 on Blood Parameters and Economics of Feeding

The present research was undertaken to study the nutritional evaluation of Mulberry (Morus indica) leaves variety V-1 in Osmanabadi kids. Thirty Osmanabadi weaned kids of 5 to 6 months of age were randomly selected and divided into five groups, six in each group on the basis of body weight and age. The individual feeding with 50: 50 concentrate mixture and Mulberry leaves increased DM intake than rest of all treatments. The DCP and TDN intake was significantly lower in group fed with 100 % Mulberry leaves. The gain in body weight, height at withers, body length, chest girth and belly girth was significantly higher in kids fed with 50: 50 concentrate mixtures and Mulberry leaves. The blood parameters viz. . , blood glucose, TSP, BUN and haemoglobin were within a normal range in all treatment groups including control. Cost of feeding reduced from control (`-127.07) by replacing 50 % DCP from concentrate mixtures to (`-63.32) in T2 by improving the weight gain. It concluded that the non- conventional feed stuffs like Mulberry leaves could be incorporated in the diet of Osmanabadi kids up to 50 % replacement of DCP from concentrate mixture with Mulberry leaves.