Effect of complete feed blocks or grazing and supplementation of lambs on performance, nutrient utilisation, rumen fermentation and rumen microbial enzymes.

A study to compare two feeding systems, stall feeding (SF) and grazing plus supplementation (GR) was carried out, based on intake, performance and rumen fermentation characteristics of lambs. While SF animals received ad libitum complete feed blocks (CFB), GR animals were allowed grazing for 8 h on a pasture and supplemented with concentrate mixture at 250 g per head per day. Intake in grazing animals was determined using chromium III oxide as internal marker.

Effect of inclusion of tree leaves in feed on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation in sheep.

The effect of inclusion of tree leaves in mustard (Brassica campestris) straw (MS) based complete feed blocks (CFB) on nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation was studied in adult male sheep. Four types of CFB diets (Roughage:Concentrate:Molasses, 70:25:5) were prepared. The compaction process increased bulk density (g/cm(3)) of MSB, MSNL, MSSL and MSAL by 2.