Abstract
Twenty-four male Teddy kids approximately of the same age and weight were randomly assigned to three experimental rations (A, B and C) in such a manner that there were 8 kids on each ration. These rations were fed ad libitum to kids for a period of 9 weeks, including first week as the adjustment period. At the end of the study, three animals from each group were randomly picked up and put on digestion trial for four days. In addition, dressing percen-tage was also determined, using two animals from each group. The average weekly intake of experimental rations/kid ranged from 1.66 ±0.17 to 1.85±0.15 kg in various groups, whereas the corresponding values for fodder consumption varied from 2.57 ± 0.10 to 2.80 ± 0.11 kg/week/kid. The average body weight of kids given rations A, B and C at the end of eight weeks was 11.20 ± 0.21, 11.81 ± 0.22 and 12.03 ±0.17 kg, respectively. The intake of mixed ration and fodder significantly differed in various experimental gre ups, while the differences in the body weight of kids fed on various rations were non-significant. The dressing percentage was 46.96,47.72 and 45.49 in the kids fed rations A, B and C, respectively. The use of probiotics in the ration of male Teddy kids, under the conditions of this study, failed to establish its merit as a growth promotent/feed additive.
INTRODUCTION
The use of feed additives is now generally recognised as one of the most important practices in animal feeding due to their beneficial role in intensive system of livestock prlduction. "Probiotics" has been claimed to be one of such agents; it relieves stresses, improves metabolism, controlskeduces variety of diseaft ses, enhances healthy animals productivity resulting in more meat and more milk at a lower cost per unit of production (Anonymous, 1983). Next to poultry
