P.A. CHADHOKAR and K.R. KANTHARAJU

Abstract

The shrub legume, gliricidia (Gliricidia maculata) was fed indoors to Bannur ewes at 0, 25, 50 and 75 per cent on, fresh weight basis with the grass Brachiaria miliiformis to study the effect of the legume on the growth and breeding of the ewes. Gliricidia was equally effective at the 25, 50 and 75 per cent level in improving growth and survival of ewes and lambs. Lamb growth rates were almost doubled by feeding gliricidia. Gliricidia had no adverse effect at any stage of breeding, even when it comprised 80 per cent of the diet, and can be used as the main source of feed during the period of feed scarcity as well as a protein supplement to low quality grass.