Islam et al., 1997. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 10 (2): 206-209

12 castrated Black Bengal goats, 5-6 months old, 11 kg body weight, were divided into 3 groups and fed for 60 days on freshly-cut common grass alone (ad libitum) or supplemented with jackfruit tree leaves 100 g or mashkalai bran 100 g. Chemical composition of all 3 feeds is given. Although digestibility of DM, organic matter, nitrogen and NDF was similar in grass- and mashkalai bran-supplemented goats, the values were higher (P<0.01) than those observed in goats supplemented with jackfruit tree leaves. Supplementation with mashkalai bran induced a higher (P<0.05) digestible nutrient intake resulting in a daily liveweight gain (75 g) higher than in those fed on grass alone (31 g) or supplemented with jackfruit tree leaves (30 g). It is concluded that mashkalai bran may be a suitable supplement for goats consuming common grass in the tropics and subtropics.