• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.1469-1474
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• 2003

Twenty four weaner lambs, eight each of Marwari, Patanwadi and Merino${\times}$Patanwadi breeds (9.9 to 10.8 kg) were randomly divided into two dietary treatments on body weight basis Viz. $T_1$-conventional (Maize-38%, GN Cake-25%, Rice Polish-24%, Jaggery solution-10%, Mineral mixture-3%) and $T_2$-supplemented non conventional group (GN Cake-25%, Rice Polish-14%, Mango seed kernel-25%, Babul Pods chuni-23%, Jaggery solution-10%, Mineral mixture-3%). The Jaggery solution was prepared by mixing 6.5 kg Jaggery and 3.5 kg water. The average final body weight at the end of the experiment was recorded to be $19.33{\pm}0.76$ and $19.72{\pm}0.8kg$ in conventional and non-conventional groups, respectively. The total dry matter intake (DMI) during the entire experiment period was recorded to be $89.56{\pm}5.19$ and $95.08{\pm}1.06$ (kg/head) and $532.83{\pm}9.94$ and $566.75{\pm}10.49g/d$ in conventional and nonconventional groups, respectively. The body weight gain and body measurements did not influenced by diet. The ration effect was found to be significant when the DMI was expressed in terms of g/d. The crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake/head and per kg gain observed during experiment under conventional and non-conventional treatment group did not differ from each other. However, the total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake per kg gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented non-conventional group. The intake values of DCP and TDN were more or less in agreement with Indian Council Agricultural Research (1985) recommendations. The estimated total feed cost (Rs./animal) for experimental lambs was $274.16{\pm}8.57$ and $242.67{\pm}5.10$ in conventional and non- group, respectively. The non-conventional group had significantly (p<0.05) lower feed cost (11.6%). The return as percent of feed cost and feed cost/kg dressed weight were $92.89{\pm}5.58$ (%) and Rs. $35.40{\pm}1.11$ and $122.61{\pm}5.06$ (%) and Rs.$30.47{\pm}1.71$ in conventional and non-conventional group (p<0.05), respectively which is the reflection of significantly lower total feed cost incurred during feeding in non-conventional group. Lambs fed non-conventional based diet had similar live weights as those fed conventional diets but costed less money to achieve those weights.