Effect of Supplementation of Herbal Products as Feed Additive on Rumen Metabolites in Marwari Goats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of herbal products supplementation on rumen environment in Marwari goats. Marwari goats of 18-24 months of age were randomly divided into five groups (four in each) i.e. T1 (complete feed without herbal products), T2 (Complete feed + Himalayan Batisa @ 10 mg/g substrate), T3 (Complete feed+Appetonic Vet powder @ 10 mg/g substrate), T4 (Complete feed + Ruchamax @ 3 mg/g substrate) and T5 (Complete feed + Rumizyme powder @ 7.5 mg/g substrate). Rumen liquor samples were collected from each animal at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 18 hrs post prandial. Rumen pH was unaffected while TVFA concentration was higher (Pandlt; 0.01) in herbal product supplemented groups in comparison to un-supplemented group. The total nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen and TCA-precipitable nitrogen were higher, whereas, the ammonia nitrogen and total protozoal count were lower (P andlt; 0.01) in herbal product supplemented groups. The results are indicative of supplementation of herbal products enhance the productivity in goats by improving the ruminal environment.