Performance of Karadi Lambs Fed White or Black Whole Barley Grain for Different Fattening Periods

Abstract

Feeding on white or black whole barley grain and fattening period’s effect on the body weight and measurements, as well as carcass quality of Karadi male lambs was investigated in this study. A total of sixty Karadi male lambs aged six month-old was randomly allocated to two feeding systems (white or black barley grain) for four periods of experimental fattening trial (each period was one month). Body weights as well as total body gain for lambs fed white barley were significantly (P<0.05) higher than lambs fed black barley during experimental periods. Feeding white barley significantly (P<0.05) increased body length at eight-month (second period), nine month (third period) and final weight (fourth period) compared to black barley. Moreover, height at withers and heart girth showed significant differences at the final period (age of 10th months). Result showed a high interaction between fattening periods and feeding regimes on the length of body, wither height and the girth of heart. This may indicate that lambs at different experimental periods responded differently to type of barley. It is concluded that body weights, total body gain and body measurements for lambs fed white barley were significantly higher than lambs fed black barley.