Paddy straw is a major agro-residue fed to ruminants in India. Feeding only rice straw does not provide enough nutrients to the ruminants even for maintenance due to the low nutritive value of this highly lignified material containing high concentration of anti-nutrition factors like lignin, silicates and oxalates. Despite the improvements of crop residues through various processing methods such as physical and chemical, the efficient utilization to desirable extent is still awaited. So utilization of paddy straw in association with concept of complete feed along with biological agents is need of the hour to maximize advantage from given feeds in animal production systems.

20 male Corriedale sheep (3 months of age) were divided into 5 equal groups viz, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 and fed on measured quantity of concentrate mixture containing 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24% azolla replacing 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% linseed cake respectively. Measured quantity of good quality oat hay was offered to all the groups as per their body weight to meet their requirement. Highest body weight was observed in T1 group and it had no significant difference with T2 group, but it had significant difference with T3, T4 and T5 groups. T2 group had significant difference with T5 group, but with other groups it had no significant difference in final body weight. Lowest body weight was observed in T5 group but it had no significant difference with T3 and T4 groups. Highest DM digestibility was observed in T2 group and lowest DM digestibility was observed in T5. But no significant difference was observed in DM digestibility among the groups. Lowest FCR was observed in T1 (control) followed by T2 group and they had significant difference with T3, T4 and T5 group, but no significant difference was observed between T1 and T2 group. Lowest cost of feeding per kg of gain was observed in T2 group and it had significant difference with T3, T4 and T5 group but not with T1 group (control). No significant difference was also observed among T3, T4 and T5 group but significantly higher cost of feeding per kg of gain than T1 (control) group was observed in T3, T4 and T5 group. It was concluded that azolla can be added in the diet of growing sheep at 6% level replacing linseed cake without any adverse effect on the performance of the animals.

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A study was carried on 24 piglets (Large White York Shire × Desi) of an average initial weight of 20 kg of three gender groups, barrows, boars and gilts consisted of eight pigs each, of comparable body weight fattened from 20-48 kilograms (growing) to 49-96 kilograms (finishing) to see the effect of gender on growth performance, nutrient utilization and carcass traits. When comparing feed intake at the growing stage, gilts consumed significantly more (P<0.05) feed than boars and barrows. There was no significant difference in average daily weight gain among barrows, boars and gilts in growing and finishing stage. Gilts had significantly higher (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio than boars in growing period and barrows in finishing period. Nutrient digestibility was similar except crude protein among groups. Fasting weight and weight after bleeding was significantly lower (P<0.05) in gilts with nonsignificant difference between barrows and boars. Sex has no significant effect on evisceration weight, dressing percentage and carcass length in pigs. Carcass backfat of barrows was significantly thicker (P<0.05) than that of boars and gilts, however, the loin eye area was significantly larger (P<0.05) in gilts than boars and barrows. There were no significant differences among groups concerning the proportions of ham, under cut, bacon and rib chop however, shoulder and loin percentages were higher (P<0.05) in gilts than boars and barrows.