Intake and performance of growing lambs supplemented with quebracho tannins.

Abstract

Tannins can modulate rumen fermentation and increase the bypass protein; however, the use of different doses and sources of condensed tannins (CT) in animal diets has divergent results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of dietary quebracho extract inclusion, as a CT source, in the performance and carcass characteristics of growing lambs. Forty-eight weaned lambs (Texel, Suffolk, and Hampshire Down crossbred) were homogenously blocked into four groups and supplemented at 0, 10, 30, and 60g tannins/kg dry matter intake (DMI) (CONT, T1%, T3%, and T6%, respectively). The DMI, the roughage to concentrate ratio, the feed conversion rate (FCR), the average daily gain (ADG), and the body condition score (BCS) were evaluated. After the trial, animals were slaughtered, and the cold carcass weight, carcass yield, and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were determined. Higher levels of CT in T3% and T6% reduced (P < 0.001) the total DMI and intake of concentrate without impacting (P = 0.071) the roughage intake (% body weight). ADG was the lowest for T6%, although the total weight gain and BCS were the lowest also for T3% (P < 0.001). FCR was worst for T6% (P < 0.001). Regarding carcass characteristics, T6% had the lowest weight of carcass (P = 0.003) and SFT (P = 0.021) compared to CONT. Carcass yields were similar among all the groups (P = 0.247). T1% did not differ from CONT to any parameter (P > 0.05). Supplementing quebracho CT at a low dose did not show beneficial effects; moreover, higher doses of CT led to detrimental effects in intake and animal performance.