Growth rate and faecal egg counts of parasitised Kacang goats fed Mindi ('Melia azedarach') leaves

Abstract

In West Timor and surrounding islands, a lack of good quality fodder and infection with nematode parasites often limit growth ofgoats to less than 10 g/d. Improving protein nutrition is one of the parasite management tools available (Datta et al. 1999). During dry seasons, farmers feed Mindi leaves to their cattle, but seldom to goats. (Mindi is a local name for the tree, 'Melia azedarach', known in Australia as White Cedar). Mindi leaves contain about 21% crude protein and have a variety of pharmacological properties (Verma et al. 1989). A preliminary study 'in vitro' confirmed extracts of Mindi leaves contained anthemintic—like substance(s) that killed 'Haemonchus contortus' worms. The study reported now was undertaken to compare the benefits of feeding Mindi leaves in either fresh or dried forms to parasitised goats.