Impact of Turmeric Powder-supplemented Diets on Growth Performance and Feeding Economics in Konkan Kanyal Goat Kids

Abstract

The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) powder supplementation on growth performance, body measurements and economics in Konkan Kanyal goat kids. Twenty weaned kids were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments (T₁: basal diet only, T₂: basal diet + 3 g turmeric d-1, T₃: basal diet + 6 g d-1, T₄: basal diet + 9 g d-1 and T₅: basal diet + 12 g d-1) and reared for 90 days. The basal diet consisted of Sampoorna grass, Jowar kadbi and   compounded goat pellets. Growth traits including body weight, body length, height at withers and   chest girth were recorded, along with economic parameters. Supplementation at 9 g/day (T₄) significantly (p < 0.05) improved body length (8.55 cm), height (8.40 cm) and chest girth (7.13 cm) gains compared to the control. T₄ also achieved the highest average daily gain (71.94 g/day) and final body weight (15.70 kg). Economic evaluation revealed the lowest cost per kg gain (₹905.53), highest net profit (₹1777.16) and most favorable B:C ratio (1.30) under T₄. It is concluded that turmeric supplementation at 9 g/day, along with a basal diet of Sampoorna grass, Jowar kadbi and goat pellets, optimizes growth performance and profitability in Konkan Kanyal kids under Konkan conditions.