author(s)
N Kurechiya, MK Mehta, RK Jain and Kavita Rawat

abstract
The quest for sustainable goat production and aptness of concentrate supplementation prompted the current investigation. Eighteen post-weaned local male kids (9.5 ± 0.24 kg BW) were divided into three equal groups viz. T₁, T₂ and T₃ to study the effect of supplementation of concentrate mixture with and without urea under a semi-intensive system of management. The kids under all three groups were allowed 6 to 7 h of grazing daily. Additionally, besides grazing Group T₁ was un-supplemented (control), Group T₂ was supplemented with a non-urea-based concentrate mixture (CP 16%, TDN 70%) and group T₃ was supplemented with a urea-based concentrate mixture (CP 16%, TDN 70%) at 200 g daily. The duration of experimental feeding was 90 days. The parameters studied were nutrient utilization, growth performance and economics of feeding. Intake and digestibility of nutrients were significantly (P< 0.01) lower in control but no significant difference was observed between supplemented groups. The average daily gain (ADG) was significantly (P< 0.01) higher in both the concentrate fed groups then sole grazing group (58. 40 and 55. 44 vs. 26.40). The net return from supplemented groups was higher as compared to control. It is concluded that supplementation of 200 g concentrate mixture in local browsing kids reared under semi-intensive management resulted in increased intake and digestibility of nutrients which, in turn, resulted in higher growth performance. The urea-based concentrate mixture is equally effective as a traditional concentrate mixture and supplementation is economical in growing kids.