Desert Lambs Research Articles

Growth performance and survival rates of Desert lambs under grazing condition in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Growth performance and survival rates of Desert lambs under grazing condition in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Effects of Introducing Different Levels of Groundnut Hay Treated with Urea and Molasses on Performance of Desert Lambs (Hammari Ecotype)

Non-traditional agricultural by-products are a potentially valuable alternative source of animal feed which may decrease dependence on traditional feed products and decrease overall feeding costs. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of using groundnut hay in lambs fattening. Groundnut hay was used at three levels (0, 20 and 30%) in three iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets (A, B and C). Twenty seven male lambs of Sudanese Desert sheep (Hamari ecotype) were selected according to their age (4-5months) and average live body weight (20.5Kg) and they were kept in Rural Development and Extension Center (R.D.E.C). The experimental feed includes three different levels of groundnut hay treated with urea and molasses (0, 20 and 30 %). Experimental animals were fed for 60 days included two weeks as adaptation periods. All the data was collected and statistically analyzed by using statistical package for Social Studies (SPSS version 17.0). an A Completely Randomized Design (CRD). One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncans multiple range were used to test for difference among the treatments means. The study showed a significant differences (P>0.05) among different treatments for average values of final live body weight gain(FLBWG), total live body weight gain(TLBWG), daily live body weight gain(DLBWG), feed conversion rate(FCR), feed conversion rate as % of live body weight gain, cost of one kg feed and cost of one kg live weight per (SG). While initial live body weight (ILBW) and daily feed intake (DFI) showed no significant differences (P>0.05) among different treatments. Treatment A (control) reported the highest and best values of final live body weight, daily weight gain, cost of one kg feed, and cost of one kg live weight followed by treatment B (%20) while treatment C (30%) reported the lowest values so, we recommend to use groundnut hay up to 20% for finishing desert lamb.

Effect of Grazing Management and Watering Regimen on Sudan Desert Lambs’ Body Weights

Effect of Grazing Management and Watering Regimen on Sudan Desert Lambs’ Body Weights

Productivity of Desert lambs as effected by Nutrition in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Productivity of Desert lambs as effected by Nutrition in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Biomass production and nutritive value of Sida alba leaves fed to desert sheep

The study was established to study the effects of supplementation with Sida alba leaves on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, live body weight changes of Sudanese Desert lambs. Fifteen Lambs of 4-6 months old and weighing 18±500 kg were divided into three similar groups each with five animals. Seven days were allowed for adaptation. The lambs were weighed weekly for 8 weeks. Daily feed intake was obtained by subtracting the remained amounts from quantities offered the day before. Feces were collected at the last ten days for determination of nutrients digestibility coefficients via total feces collection method. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance. Differences among means were detected using least significant difference test. The results indicated that group II that was on natural grazing supplemented with Sida alba leaves consumed significantly (p<0.01) greater amount of feed compared to group I that was on the natural grazing only and group III supplemented with a concentrate ration feed intake was 1316,730, 1381,500 and 1207.650 g for group I, II and III, respectively. No significant differences (P≥0.05) in digestibility coefficients of all nutrients between group II and III but group I had lowers coefficients than II and III. Total and daily body weight was higher in group II and III when compared with group I. The biomass production was estimated to be 84.910 g/shrub or 1.697 per hectare based on a square meter space for a plant. It was concluded Sida alba leaves could support lambs on low quality grazing.

Tolerance capability of desert sheep and goats to exercise heat stress under hot dry conditions, and its correlation with their production performance

• Investigating tolerance capability of desert Barki sheep and goats to exercise heat stress. • Desert sheep Mechanism to tolerate EHS, was to increase respiratory heat loss. • Desert goats relied on rapid shallow painting, besides reducing heat production. • Medium size desert goats/sheep are compatible to hot dry conditions than light or heavy ones. • There is room to select for tolerance to environment stress in desert sheep and goats. The study aims to investigate tolerance capability of desert Barki sheep and goats to exercise heat stress (EHS) under the hot-dry conditions of Coastal Zone of Western Desert, in Egypt. Over the period from 2009 to 2014, mature ewes and does were exposed to exercise heat stress (EHS); walking for 7 km in July and August from 12 noon to 3 pm (simulating summer grazing on poor pasture). Physiological parameters: rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST), respiratory rate (RR) and gas volume (GV) were measured at rest, by 7am, and directly after exposure. Tidal volume (TV) and metabolic rate (MR) were further calculated. Exposing desert Barki sheep and goats to EHS, raised significantly (P ≤ 0.01) their physiological parameters (RT, ST, RR, and GV), and decreasing their MR and TV. The main thermoregulatory mechanism of desert Barki sheep to tolerate EHS, was to increase their respiratory heat loss (increase RR and GV). While, Barki desert goats relied mainly on rapid shallow painting, besides reducing heat production. Barki goats showed better tolerance to physical stress under hot dry conditions than Barki sheep. Individual variation, were the main cause of variability in changes the studied parameters with EHS, followed by year and species variation. Changes in the physiological parameters with EHS were positively (P ≤ 0.05) correlated with body weight at exposure, insignificantly for yearling and weaning weights. Light weight desert lambs and kids at weaning are less tolerant to physical heat stress. While heavy animals at yearling, especially goats, have difficulty in walking for long distance under heat stress. Medium size desert goats, and relatively sheep, seems to be more compatible with hot dry conditions, than either light or heavy performed animals. For breeding purpose, there is room for selection in desert sheep and goat for tolerance to environmental stress, together with selection for production traits.

Effect of Using Zornia glochidiata (shelini) Meal in Replacement of Wheat Bran on Lamb Performance and Feeding Cost Decreasing

This trial was aimed to study the effects of replacing wheat bran with different levels of Zornia glochidiata meal on feed intake, general performance of Desert lambs and feeding cost decreasing. Twelve lambs of four months old and weighing 19.500 kg +500g were divided into three groups each with four animals. Feed intake and body weight change were monitored every ten days up to fifty days. The data were statistically analyzed via analysis of variance and the differences among means were detected least significance (LSD) test. The results indicated that voluntary dry matter intake significantly (P<0.05) increased in the group that consumed a ration with 26% Zornia glochidiata meal (II) followed by those were on a ration with wheat bran only (I) and lastly that had a ration with 42% Z. glochidiata (III). Feed intake was 1090, 970 and 910 for group II, I and III, respectively. Similarly body weight gain was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II, (6.1kg/50 days) followed by group I (4.9 kg/50 days) and group III with 4.3 kg/50 days. The daily weight gain was 98, 122, 89 g when the lambs consumed rations with 0.00, 26 and 42 % of Z. glochidiata meal, respectively. The cost of kilogram of the first ration was 6.8 SDG when only wheat bran was used, and it decreased to 5.7 SDG when 26% wheat was replaced by Z. glochidiata meal and when Z. glochidiata meal was increased to 41% the cost was further decreased to 5 SDG.

Effects of feeding Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb.) leaves on desert lamb’s feed intake, nutrients digestibility and growth performance

This trial was designed to study the effect of intake of ailanto (Ailanthus excelsa) fodder on dry matter intake, nutrients digestibility and performance of Sudanese Desert lambs. Twelve heads of lambs, six months old and weighing (17+ 0.37) kg were divided into three groups with four heads each. They were vaccinated and dosed with broad-spectrum antihelmentics (ivermectin) for treatment against internal and external parasites and ear- tagged to facilitate identification during treatments. The Ailanthus excelsa, fodder, groundnut haulms and the natural grazing was fed to group I, II and III, respectively. Water was provided continuously and feed intake was monitored daily. The feed samples were analyzed and apparent nutrients digestibility was determined by total feces collection method. This complete randomized design data was analyzed via analysis of variance and differences among means were detected using Least Significant Difference test (LSD). Feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher for group 1 followed by the group on groundnut haulms and finally the group on the natural grazing where the amounts consumed was 865.90, 850 and 800 grams per day. Dry matter digestibility was the highest in the group on Ailanthus excelsa fodder, followed by groundnut haulms ​​and the lowest for those on natural grazing where DMD was 75.67, 67.45, and 56.45%, organic matter digestibility 78.61, 69.65 and 57.55%. Body weight changes indicated that they were higher in the Ailanthus excelsa fodder group and then in the groundnut haulms group and lower in the natural grazing group. The highest daily weight gain (60 grams) was obtained when animals fed on Ailanthus excelsa fodder compared to 45 grams and 40 grams a day for the group fed groundnut haulms and natural grazing, respectively.

Effect of Natural Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection on Fattening Performance of Sudan Desert Sheep

Forty eight Sudan desert lambs were used in a-2 month fattening trial to evaluate the effect of natural gastrointestinal parasitic infection on fattening performance of old (2 years and up) and young (milk teeth) lambs fed isonitrogenous (CP: 16.11%) high (12.24 MJ/kg) high and low (10.35 MJ/kg) energy diets. Average daily gain, final body weight and total body weight gain showed a significantly (P<0.001) high differences. Infection along with low energy played a very important role resulting the worst performance plus high mortality. Significant differences were recorded in slaughter weights, the highest one was that of old lamb group, treated for internal parasites and given high energy diet (39.67 kg). It was 40.76% higher than the lowest treatment group which was the young infected given low energy diet. Empty body weight, dressing percentage and muscle percentage were (P<0.05) higher in the treated groups.

The effect of feeding groundnut hay and concentrates on some carcass characteristics of Sudanese Desert lambs (tribal subtypes Hamari and Kabashi) in North Kordofan State, Sudan

The effect of feeding groundnut hay and concentrates on some carcass characteristics of Sudanese Desert lambs (tribal subtypes Hamari and Kabashi) in North Kordofan State, Sudan

Effects of Dried Rumen Contents Level in Rations on the Performance of Shugor Desert Sheep in Halfa Elgadeda, Kassala State, Sudan

Twelve Shugor Desert lambs at 9-12 month old and weighing about 25kg were used to study effects of different levels of dried rumen contents in rations on lamb’s performance in Halfa Elgadeda, Kassala State, Sudan. The animals were divided into three groups according to body weight and allocated at random to isonitrogenous and isocaloric rations with 0, 5 or 10% dried rumen contents. They were offered the rations ad lib. in one meal at 8 am. They were allowed a 15 days preliminary period and fattened for 49 days. Barseem (Medicago sativa) was fed once weekly. The data was statistically analyzed according to the completely randomized design. Final BW, daily feed intake, total weight gain and daily weight gain varied among different levels of dried rumen contents in rations, but not significantly (P>0.05). They were highest in animals fed 10% dried rumen contents and least in animals fed no dried rumen contents. Final BW (kg) was 30.27, 31.25 and 31.75 in animals fed 0, 5 and 10% dried rumen contents, respectively. Daily feed intake (kg/day) was 01.20, 01.27 and 01.28, respectively. Total weight gain (kg) was 4.25, 4.63 and 5.75, respectively. Daily weight gain (g) was 150, 165 and 207, respectively. Feed conversion ratio varied among levels of dried rumen contents in rations, but not significantly (P>0.05). It was 8.81, 7.87 and 7.61 in animals fed 0, 5 and 10% dried rumen contents, respectively.

Effects of feeding Beta vulgaris saccharifera bulb for fattening desert lambs under tropical conditions of Sudan

Effects of feeding Beta vulgaris saccharifera bulb for fattening desert lambs under tropical conditions of Sudan

Feedlot performance of Sudanese desert lambs fed with mash or pelleted diet of varying energy levels

Abstract This experiment was conducted using 18 Sudan desert ram lambs (22 ± 5.7 kg) to examine the effects of feeding with diets of different energy levels and physical forms on feedlot performance. These lambs were randomly divided into three feed groups of six animals each in a completely randomized design (CRD). Following an acclimatization period of three weeks, three experimental diets were offered, each for one group. High Energy Pellets (HEP) and High Energy Mash (HEM) diets (10.50 MJME/kg DM) of a pelleted and mash form, respectively and Low Energy Diets (LEP) was a pelleted and low energy diet (8.5 MJME/kg DM). The experiment continued for all diets to an average 40 kg live weight lamb. Results revealed lower Dry Matter Intake (DMI) ( P > 0.001), improved Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) ( P P P > 0.05) differences were observed due to pelleting between the two higher energy groups. No significant ( P > 0.05) differences were observed among treatment groups in the Metabolizable Energy (ME) required to put a unit of body weight gain.

Performance of Sudanese Desert Lambs Fed Graded Levels of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Seeds Instead of Groundnut Cake

2 Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seed cake as a possible protein supplement for growing Iamb in comparison to groundnut cake. Graded proportion of roselle seed (RS) (0, 10, 20%) which replace Groundnut Cake (GNC) were incorporated in three diets iso- caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets for lambs. Diet A contained 0% Roselle seed while diets B and C obtained 10 and 20% roselle seed respectively. Thirty yearling male lambs of Sudan desert sheep ecotype Kabashi with average body weight of 25.2 kg were used for feeding trial. There was a significant (p<0.05) linear increase in feed intake with increasing RS level in the diet, but dietary treatments had no significant effect on average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency and final body weight. In spite of that lambs fed diets containing roselle seed were found to be superior over the control group in the previous parameters.

Performance of Sudanese Desert Lambs Fed Graded Levels of Water Melon (Citrullus lanatus) Seed Cake Instead of Groundnut Cake

3 Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate water melon (Citrullus Lanatus) seed cake as a possible protein supplement for growing Iamb in comparison to groundnut cake. Graded proportion of water melon seed cake (WMSC) (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) which replace groundnut cake (GNC) were incorporated in five diets iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous diets for lamb. Diet A contained 0% proportion of MWSC, diet B, C, D and E contained 25, 50, 75 and 100% WMSC proportions, respectively. Forty five yearling male lambs of Sudan desert sheep ecotype Kabashi with average body weight of 31.5kg were used for feeding trial. There was a significant (P < 0.01) linear decrease in feed intake and average daily live weight gain with increasing WMSC level in the diet, but dietary treatments had no significant effect on feed conversion efficiency and final body weight. However, lambs fed diet A (0% WMSC) was found to be superior over the other treatment groups in previous parameters.

Effect of Replacement of Groundnut Cake with Decorticated Sunflower Cake on the Performance of Sudanese Desert Lambs

Twelve Sudanese desert lambs of age less than one year and of average weight 18.5 Kg were utilized for this study. These lambs were divided into three groups of the equal number and initial weight to study the effect of replacing Groundnut meal by decorticated Sunflower meal on the performance of Sudanese desert lambs. The study was conducted at Small Ruminant Research pens, Faculty of Agricultural Technology and Fish Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Jabel Awlia, Sudan. Three iso-nitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated. These diets contained 0.00%, 50% and 100% Sunflower meal instead of Groundnut meal respectively. These diets were randomly assigned to the experimental groups. Feeding was on ad libitum base for 35 days from 2 April to 14 May, 2007. Replacement of groundnut meal with decorticated sunflower meal had no significant effect on the final body weight, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. But this replacement induced significant (p < 0.05) effect on feed intake.

Effects of water deprivation on dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility, and nitrogen retention in Sudan desert lambs and kids

Six Sudan desert lambs and six desert kids were subjected to five days of water deprivation and fed on dry Abu-70 forage (Sorghum vulgaris, var) (CP 5.2%). Dry matter digestibility (DMD) and nitrogen utilization were studied with or without water. During water deprivation animals significantly reduced (P < 0.05) DMI. The reduction was 27.7% in lambs and 19.7% in kids. The reduction in DMI was compensated by a significant improvement in DMD. Lambs improved DMD by 8.4% while kids by 14.4%. Nitrogen intake was significantly reduced by the treatment. Urinary N excretion was significantly reduced in lambs (30% reduction) while the reduction in kids was not significant (17%). Faecal N was significantly reduced in both species, lambs were more efficient in this respect. During daily watering period animals were in negative N balance. Water deprivation significantly improved N balance in both species but was still slightly negative. Comparing the two species there were no major significant differences except that in kids the percent increase in DMD, due to water deprivation, was greater than in lambs. Short period of water deprivation is rather beneficial to desert lambs and kids, it improves DMD and nitrogen retention.

Effect of sorghum straw alone or in combination with molasses and nitrogen sources on performance of Sudan desert lambs

A lamb growth trial was conducted to determine the value of urea and blood meal as nitrogen supplements when added to sorghum straw and molasses diets. Six diets were formulated as follows: (1) Diet A (straw only); (2) Diet B (70% straw + 27% molasses); (3) Diet C (68.6% straw + 26.5% molasses + 2% urea); (4) Diet D (63.6% straw + 24.5% molasses + 9% blood); (5) Diet E (58.3% straw + 22.5% molasses + 16.7% blood); (6) Diet F (a traditional fattening diet composed of 35% sorghum grain plus 35% cottonseed cake plus 27% wheat bran). All diets except Diet A contained approximately 1% NaCl. Thirty-six crossbred Sudan desert lambs were divided according to body weight into 6 groups of 6 lambs each. Each group was allotted randomly to one of the 6 diets in a feeding period of 70 days. At the end of the trial, 4 animals from each group were slaughtered to study some carcass characteristics. Lambs fed on Diets A and B had lower (P < 0.05) feed intake compared with the other groups of lambs. Nitrogen-supplemented lambs (Groups C,D and E) had higher (P < 0.05) feed intake than unsupplemented ones (Groups A and B). In contrast, animals offered Diet F had the highest (P < 0.05) feed consumption. The values (kg day−1) for this parameter were 0.65, 0.87, 1.16, 1.05, 1.07 and 1.32 for lambs fed Diets A,B,C,D,E and F, respectively. The growth performance and feed efficiency of lambs on these diets were relatively poor except those fed Diet F. The average daily body weight changes (g day−1) were −55.9, −54.9, 6.6, 38.1, 50.8 and 170.0 for lambs given Diets A,B,C,D,E and F, respectively. The gut fill (% of slaughter weight) was lower (P < 0.05) but empty body weight (kg), hot carcass weight (kg) and dressing-out percentage were greater (P < 0.05) for lambs given Diet F than those given the other diets. The respective dressing-out percentages of lambs offered Diets A,B,C,D,E, and F were 37.9, 38.6, 38.7, 41.0, 39.7 and 45.7.

A note on the utilization of urea by Sudan desert sheep

SUMMARYSixty-four young male Sudan desert lambs were group-fed for 87 days on four diets, all containing approximately 10% crude protein. The four diets contained 0, 1·3, 1·7 and 2·7% urea, respectively.Average daily gains were 0·15, 0·14, 0·14 and 0·13 kg; feed conversion ratios (kg of feed required to produce 1 kg live-weight gain) were 7·26, 8·14, 8·92 and 7·92; dressing percentages were 43·6, 42·1, 44·1 and 42·3.Digestibility trials with lambs fed on diets with 0 or 2·7% urea gave higher digestibility coefficients for crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract for the urea-supplemented lambs. Crude protein digestibility and nitrogen retention values were lower for urea-supplemented lambs.