Abstract
A 4 × 3 factorial experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of age at entry to feedlot (AEF) and levels of concentrate feeding (LCF) on body weight gain, feed utilization and killing out characteristics of Tanzanian long-fat-tailed castrate sheep. The AEF points were 9, 12, 15 and 18 months, designated as AEF9, AEF12, AEF15 and AEF18, and the LCF were 50, 75 and 100 % of ad libitum concentrate intake designated as LCF50, LCF75 and LCF100, the last representing ad libitum concentrate intake with 10 % refusal rate. Grass hay as basal diet was offered ad libitum to each sheep. Daily feed intake and weekly live weight were recorded for a period of 84 days. Animals were slaughtered and carcass and non-carcass parameters were recorded. Dry matter intake (DMI) of hay decreased while DMI of concentrate increased (p < 0.01) with increasing LCF. Daily gain in high level (LCF100) was 93.1 g/day, almost twofold higher than that in low level (LCF50) of feeding (39 g/day). Overall dressing percentage ranged from 40.7 to 46.5 % and increased with increasing AEF. The proportion of carcass bone decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing AEF while that of fat increased (p < 0.05) with increasing LCF. Age at entry × level of concentrate feeding interaction was detected for DMI, feed conversion ratio (FCR), slaughter body weight (SBW), muscle/bone ratio and bone (as % cold carcass weight (CCW)), but the effect was not regular. Entering fattening at 18th month seems too late, hence to get in the shortest time the highest output slaughter and carcass weights, fattening should start latest at 15 month.
Highlights
In Tanzania, the three dominant indigenous sheep breeds are Tanzanian long-fat-tailed sheep, Blackhead Persian and Red Maasai, and they are all distributed mainly in semi-arid regions of the country
The feedlot trial was conducted at Kongwa Pasture Research Centre, and animals were slaughtered at Dodoma abattoir, both located in Dodoma region in Central Tanzania (6° 10′ 23′′ S 35° 44′ 31′′ E), at 1,120 m above sea level
The age at entry to feedlot (AEF) of 9, 12, 15 and 18 months was designated as AEF9, AEF12, AEF15 and AEF18, and the three levels of concentrate feeding (LCF) were 50, 75 and 100 % of ad libitum concentrate offer, designated as LCF50, LCF75 and LCF100, the last representing ad libitum concentrate intake with 10 % refusal
Summary
In Tanzania, the three dominant indigenous sheep breeds are Tanzanian long-fat-tailed sheep, Blackhead Persian and Red Maasai, and they are all distributed mainly in semi-arid regions of the country. The Tanzanian long-fat-tailed sheep (TLS) are almost twofold much more numerous in Tanzania than the other two breeds and are well known for their stoutly built bodies and for good meat production (MLDF 2010). Compared with other indigenous breeds, the TLS have medium frame size bodies ranging from 25 to 40 kg at maturity (Devendra and McLeroy 1982); Devendra and McLeroy (1982) pointed out that the long, thick tail condition of the TLS made them much more adaptable during the period of critical feed shortage. The sheep are raised extensively from natural pastures where they experience long periods of feed scarcity. The nutrients supplied from seasonal natural pastures are inadequate for maintenance and growth resulting in poor growth rates and prolonged periods to market
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