Vol. 9, Special Issue 6, Part F (2025)

Spotted deer (Axis axis) is the third largest deer inhabiting the plains and undulating terrain of India. Four adult male spotted deer of 3-4 years of age and body weight ranging from 41-44 kg (mean 42.25 kg) were used for this experiment. The animals were randomly distributed into 2 groups of two each in an experiment based on 2 x 2 switch over design. Each period consisted of 40 days, of which, preliminary 30 days was adaptation period and last 10 days was collection period. Digestibility of nutrients was estimated by conventional method and also by use of digestibility markers such as acid insoluble ash (AIA) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, and cellulose was significantly (p<0.01) higher in group II compared to group I irrespective of methods of estimation of digestibility. The digestibility of GE, EE and NFE was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in group II in all the three methods of estimation of digestibility. Thus, both the markers can be used satisfactorily for estimation of nutrient digestibility in spotted deer.