Voluntary intake, nutrient digestibility and nutritive value of ingadulcis (Pithecellobium dulce) leaves in sheep

Eight apparently healthy yearling female lambs (Sonadi X Corriedale) were randomly divided in to 2 equal groups. One group was offered ingadulcis (Pithecellobium dulce) dry leaves while other was offered ingadulcis green leaves. In both the groups ad libitum Green ingadulcis leaves were digested to a significantly higher level than dry leaves. The voluntary intake of green and dry leaves was almost similar in both the trials of two and three times feeding. The DMI ranged between 3.93 to 4.55 on % body weight with a slightly higher intake in green leaves than dry leaves. The daily DCP intake in dry leaves was 105.9 g and in green leaves 130.8 g. The TDN intake as on % of body weight was 2.21 in dry and 2.78 in green leaves. The lambs gained similarly in both green (4.65 kg) and dry leaves (4.67 kg) fed groups during 40 days experimental period.