Effect of feeding oak leaves (Quercus semecarpifolia vs Quercus leucotricophora) on nutrient utilization, growth performance and gastrointestinal nematodes of goats in temperate sub Himalayas

- Effect of feeding low to moderate levels of tannin through oak leaves (Quercus semecarpifolia or Q. leucotricophora) in the diet was studied.
- Presence of tannin in the diet improved nutrient utilization, growth performance and feed efficiency in goats.
- It also reduced gastrointestinal nematode load in goats when compared with animals fed native grass.
- Animals fed Q. semecarpifolia in the diet showed better performance than when fed Q. leucotricophora.

A 120 days of growth study was conducted on goats to assess the comparative effect of feeding two species of tanniferous oak leaves (Quercus semecarpifolia and Quercus leucotricophora) having varied levels of tannin on nutrient utilization, growth performance and gastrointestinal nematode load in goats. Eighteen crossbred (Chegu × Jamunapari) goats of 7-9 months old (body weight, 15.99 ± 1.53 kg) were divided into three groups of six in each in a completely randomized block design. Animals in all the three groups were fed similar concentrate mixture with different roughage sources (30:70). Animals were fed green grass (PS, Pennisetum clandestinum) in group T1 and oak leaves i.e. Quercus semecarpifolia (QS) and Quercus leucotricophora (QL) in groups T2 and T3, respectively. The level of condensed tannin (g kg−1 dry matter (DM)) was found to be more in QL (34) than QS (17), whereas the level of hydrolysable tannin (HT) (g kg−1 DM) was more in QS (61) than QL (31). A metabolic trial of six days duration was conducted after 90 days of growth trial. Dry matter intake (DMI) through roughage and total DM intake (g d−1) in oak leaves fed groups (T2 and T3) was higher (P < 0.05) than grass fed group (T1). Feeding of QL in T3 had a depressing effect (P < 0.05) on DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and total carbohydrate (TCHO) digestibility as compared to feeding of PC. DM and OM digestibility were lower (P < 0.05) in T2 fed QS whereas CP, NDF, ADF and TCHO digestibility were at par with control (T1). However, EE digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in T2. Daily nutrient intake per kilogram metabolic body weight in both the oak leaves fed groups was higher (P < 0.01) than green grass fed group. Nitrogen and calcium balances (g d−1) and its efficiency of utilization were higher (P < 0.05) in oak leaves fed group. Average daily gain (g d−1) was higher in T2 (32.5) and T3 (25.7) compared to T1 (13.5). Feed gain ratio (DMI/body weight gain) was better in T2 (22.9) than T1 (39.5) but at par with T3 (29.9) (P < 0.05). Feeding of oak leaves (10-19 g kg−1 DM CT in diet) significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the gastrointestinal nematode load in goats. It can be concluded that feeding of oak leaves (Quercus spp.) to kids was beneficial in augmenting nutrient utilization, growth performance and feed efficiency as compared to animals fed green grass (PS). However, goats fed tannin (g kg−1 DM) with QS based diet (CT, 10; HT, 34) showed comparatively better performance than feeding of QL based diet (CT, 19; HT, 16).