Evaluation of the growth performance and meat quality of Mongolian lamb fed grass, hay or pellets of Inner Mongolian native grass

Abstract

Abstract The major constraint for livestock production in the Inner Mongolian Plateau is a feed shortage in winter. The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the growth performance and meat quality of juvenile Mongolian lambs fed Inner Mongolian native grass in three forms: grass, hay, or pellets. Sixty Mongolian non-castrated male lambs in good health of the same age (6 months) and with similar body weight (28.83 ± 0.19 kg) were randomly divided into three groups that fed Inner Mongolian native grass, hay or pellets (5 lambs per pen). Fresh grass intake was higher than pellets intake, and hay intake was lower than pellets intake (both P