The Use of Rubber Leaves (Hevea brasiliensis) as Forage in Supporting the Development of Goats

Abstract
Description
The nutritive potency of rubber leaves (Hevea brasiliensis) as forage/feed for goats was analysed in vivo. Twenty four male and female postweaned Etawah grade kids aged 4-6 months with body weights between 11 to 26 kg were allocated into three treatment groups (i.e. T0, T1 and T2) with eight repetition designed as Randomized Block Design. Treatment diet T0 consisted of 0% rubber leaves, 80% other forages and 20% rice bran. Treatment diet T1 consisted of 40% rubber leaves, 40% other forages and 20% rice bran, and Treatment diet T2 consisted of 60% rubber leaves, 20% other forages and 20% rice bran. The results showed that DM, DE and DP consumptions, ADG and FCR of the T0, T1 and T2 treatment groups were respectively: 1008, 1040 and 1199 g DM; 2.8, 2.9 and 4.0 McalDE; 31.9, 42.9 and 59.8 g DP; 58.2, 85.7 and 76.1 g/head/day; 25.6, 15.9 and 18.0. It can be concluded that the use of rubber leaves and its branches with composition of 40 to 60% of goat diets can increase energy and protein consumptions, increase body weight gain, decrease FCR, and subsequently increase the production efficiency of the goats.
Keywords
Rubber Leaves; Hevea brasiliensis; Herbal Nutrition; Goat; Digestible Protein
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