Dietary Supplementation of Chromium and Yeast in Deccani Sheep: Effect on Nutrient Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance and Plane of Nutrition

Abstract The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary inclusion of chromium (Cr) and yeast individually and in-combination on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and plane of nutrition in Deccani sheep. Thirty-six adult Deccani rams of 2-3 yrs of age with an average body weight of 27.68±1.08 kg were randomly divided into 6 groups consisting of 6 animals each in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets were as follows: 1. Control: Basal diet (BD) without any supplement, 2. 0.5 Cr: BD + 0.5 ppm Cr supplementation, 3. 1 Cr: BD + 1.0 ppm Cr supplementation, 4. Y: BD + Yeast supplementation (5×109 CFU/kg feed), 5. 0.5Cr+Y: BD+ 0.5 ppm Cr + Yeast supplementation (5×109 CFU/kg feed), and 6. 1Cr + Y: BD + 1.0 ppm Cr + Yeast supplementation (5×109 CFU/kg feed). A metabolism trial was carried out for 5 days after adapting the rams in cages for two days. During metabolic trial period, daily feed offered, feed residue left, fecal and urine output for 24 h were recorded. Body weight and feed intake were similar (P>0.05) among the six experimental groups. The result suggested that Cr supplementation alone did not have significant effect on digestibility coefficient (%) of proximate and cell wall constituents, nitrogen balance and nutrient intake of adult sheep. Significantly (P<0.05 or 0.05) effect was not observed in nitrogen balance and nutrient intake, but Y, 0.5Cr+Y and 1Cr+Y showed numerically higher nitrogen balance than control. It could be concluded that, individual Cr supplementation had no effect on nutrient intake and utilization. However, improvement in nutrient utilization and nutrient intake observed with supplementation of yeast with or without Cr in Deccani sheep.