Tree leaves make important component of sheep and goat diet. Goats prefer tree leaves rather than grazing for a major part of their diet. Studies have suggested the nutritional potential of tree leaves as protein source and some important minerals for ruminants. So, tree leaves have the potential to alleviate feed shortages and nutritional deficiencies of small ruminant to a greater extent. Tree leaves of trees like Babool, Banyan, Papal, Subabul, Mulberry, Karonda, Moringa, Prosopis, Gliricidia, Sesbania etc, could be used as alternate fodder resources for feeding small ruminants during emergency.
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