Lambing Rate Research Articles

Effects of direct-fed microbial supplementation on growth performance and metabolic profile of newborn lambs weaned at different ages

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of direct fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on growth performance, metabolic profile and mortality rate of newborn lambs at different weaning ages. Five days old sixty Najdi male lambs (5.40 ± 0.10 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (15 lambs each): lambs received either no DFM and weaned at 60 days of age (control) or oral dose of DFM (5 ml) at 5, 10 and 15 days old, and weaned at 30 (DFM30), 45 (DFM45) or 60 (DFM60) days old, respectively. Final body weight was higher (P=0.05) and tended to be higher (P=0.09) in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs, respectively whereas body weight gain was higher (P=0.01) in DFM45 and DFM60 lambs. The mortality rate was declined from 33.3s% to 6.67% in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs compared to control ones. Serum cortisol and creatinine levels tended to be reduced (P=0.07 and 0.11, respectively) in DFM30 and DFM45 lambs. The serum total cholesterol was highest (P=0.02) in DFM60 lambs and lowest in both DFM45 and control lambs. Similarly, the DFM30 and DFM45 lambs showed a declined serum triglyceride compared with control and DFM60 lambs (P=0.02). Serum phosphorus declined (P=0.04) in DFM30 treated lambs while serum zinc and copper levels decreased (P=0.02 and 0.05, respectively) in all treatments compared to control lambs. These results indicated that DFM supplementation may enhance the growth and health of early weaned lambs.

Effect of infusion of serratula coronate on the metabolism and growth young sheep

The influence of water infusion of sickle leaves (Serratula coronata) on the growth of young sheep and biochemical profile of blood serum was studied. Against the background of protein deficiency and excessive fiber feeding, a positive trend of increasing the growth rate of lambs depending on the daily dose of the infusion of the sickle was revealed. Young animals, receiving 300 and 400 ml of infusion per day, increased their live weight for two months of experience by 1,68 and 1,86 kg more control, or 17,9 and 19,9%, respectively (p ≥ 0,05). An increase in serum albumin and A/G coefficient to 24% (p ≥ 0,05) while reducing urea to 28% (p ≤ 0,05). It is shown that under the influence of ecdysteroids there is a tendency to normalize the level of glucose in the blood of young animals as a result of the activation of gluconeogenesis due to the reamination of amino acids. This was confirmed by an increase in the activity of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase. The obtained data on the multifaceted metabolic effects of the infusion of sickle crowned allow us to recommend it as a feed additive that increases the growth rate of young sheep.

Melatonin improves the efficiency of super-ovulation and timed artificial insemination in sheep.

It has been well proved that melatonin participates in the regulation of the seasonal reproduction of ewes. However, the effects of short term treatment of melatonin on ewe’s ovulation are still to be clarified. In this study, the effects of melatonin on the number of embryos harvested from superovulation, and the pregnant rate in recipients after embryo transferred have been investigated. Hu sheep with synchronous estrus treatment were given melatonin subcutaneously injection (0, 5, and 10 mg/ewe, respectively). It was found that the estrogen level in the group of 5 mg melatonin was significantly higher than that of other two groups at the time of sperm insemination (p < 0.05). The pregnant rate and number of lambs in the group of 5 mg melatonin treatment was also significantly higher than that of the rests of the groups (P < 0.05). In another study, 31 Suffolk ewes as donors and 103 small-tailed han sheep ewes as recipients were used to produce pronuclear embryo and embryo transfer. Melatonin (5 mg) was given to the donors during estrus. The results showed that, the number of pronuclear embryos and the pregnancy rate were also significantly higher in melatonin group than that in the control group. In addition, 28 donors and 44 recipient ewes were used to produce morula/blastocyst and embryo transferring. Melatonin (5 mg) was given during estrus. The total number of embryos harvested (7.40 ± 1.25/ewe vs. 3.96 ± 0.73/ewe, P < 0.05) and the pregnant rate (72.3 ± 4.6% vs. 54.7 ± 4.0%, P < 0.05) and number of lambs were also increased in melatonin group compared to the control group. Collectively, the results have suggested that melatonin treatment 36 hours after CIDR withdrawal could promote the number and quality of embryos in vivo condition and increased the pregnant rate and number of lambs.

Study of Birth Weight and Post Weaning Growth Rate in Lambs and Kids of Damani Sheep and Damani Goat for Fattening Purpose

The present study was designed to estimate the birth weights and post weaning growth rate of the male lambs and kids of Damani Sheep and Damani Goats for fattening purpose, respectively, at Livestock Research and Development Station, Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan. For this purpose, a total of 30 males, including 15 lambs and 15 kids were selected for the study. The animals were raised on local feeding pattern like seasonally cultivated fodder species for grazing (berseem, sorghum, millet etc) and a commercial feed (Shandar wanda) as a supplementary diet. It was found that average birth weights of Damani kids and Damani lambs were 2.71±0.75 and 3.61±0.25 Kg, respectively. Average weaning weights of Damani kids and Damani lambs were 6.50±0.45 and 10.18±0.80 Kg, respectively. Average growth rate of Damani goats for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th months were 9.16, 12.01, 14.14, 16.30, 18.16 and 23.56, respectively while average growth rate of Damani sheep for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th months were 13.99, 17.10, 19.86, 22.13, 26 and 30.24, respectively. It was concluded from the study that due to significant (p<0.05) weight gain, the males of Damani sheep and Damani goats can be reared for fattening purpose by the local farmers of Pakistan.

Effects of malate supplementation to the concentrate feed on performance, rumen fermentation and carcass yield of lambs fed forage at restricted and ad-libitum level

The effects of sodium and calcium salts of malic acid on growth performance, rumen pH, protozoa number, NH 3 - N level and volatile fatty acid (VFA) ratio and carcass yield in Akkaraman lambs fed alfalfa hay either restricted or ad-libitum were investigated. In a completely randomized design experiment, treatments were arranged at 2x2 factorial fashion: two forage levels (100 g/d or ad-libitum) and two malate levels (0 or 5 g/d), which were tested in 32 male lambs (3-4 months of age, 23.28±1.27 kg BW). Adaptation to feeding lasted 10 days; while sampling period lasted for 60 days. Growth performance, feed intake, slaughter and carcass weight were not affected by the treatments. A significant change was found in ruminal pH by forage feding level over time. At the beginning of the experiment the amount of acetic acid was increased by ad-libitum alfalfa hay consumption and malate addition but this effect was disappeared end of the trial. Rumen propionic acid, NH 3 -N concentration and protozoa number were not affected by the treatments but they changed by the sampling time. There was alfalfa hay level x malate supplementation x sampling time interaction effect on butyric acid concentration. In conclusion, malate addition did not improve growth rate and carcass yield of lambs but it affected ruminal acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations in lambs fed alfalfa ad-libitum.

Extending the interval between second vaccination and slaughter: I. Effects on growth, scrotal size and stress responses of immunocastrated ram lambs

Immunocastration provides a less invasive means of castrating lambs. Considering increasing consumer awareness, the efficacy of this technique on commercial slaughter lambs needs to be further investigated and its effects on growth and stress responses need to be established. This study compared the growth rate, testes size and stress responses of immunocastrated lambs with that of lambs physically castrated with a Burdizzo clamp, as well as intact rams. A total of 40 Dohne Merino ram lambs (average live weight = 45.4±3.68 kg) were randomly allocated to the following four treatment groups: control (intact; R), Burdizzo-castrated (on day 2; B), immunocastrated with a 4-week (ICS4), or a 6-week (ICS6) interval between the second immunocastration vaccination and slaughter. Within the immunocastration treatments, the reaction to vaccination was assessed through injection site scoring, recording the local injection site surface temperature and assigning a walking score. The response to Burdizzo castration was assessed by scoring the reaction during the procedure, testes palpation reaction, walking gait and measuring testis temperature. Additional parameters recorded included BW, serum cortisol concentration, scrotal circumference and rectal temperature. Pain behaviours were described for the short-, medium- and long-term effects after the two methods of castration. Predominantly, tissue-hardening and bruising occurred at the injection sites of immunocastrates, but little effect was observed on walking comfort and no effect on injection site temperature or rectal temperatures. After Burdizzo castration, lambs spent more time in abnormal postures, and from day 3 (D3) to D8 of the trial, discomfort was observed during testes palpation and walking in B lambs. Serum cortisol concentrations were elevated in B lambs on D3 and D15, indicating physiological stress. Thus, immunocastration improved the welfare of castrated lambs as assessed by cortisol secretion, scrotal swelling and pain behaviours, without influencing growth rate.

PSXV-2 Can lambs modify their grazing behavior according to the finishing production systems?

In the main sheep producing regions in Brazil, the system is pasture-based, cultivated and native ones for lamb meat production. The objective of this study was to characterize the ingestive behavior of lambs in different feeding systems in mixed winter pastures (2015, 2016). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with two feeding systems and four replicates: (S1) lambs weaned at 60 days of age and supplemented with concentrate (2% LW.day-1) to slaughter at 40 kg LW; (S2) lambs neither weaned nor supplemented (suckling) until slaughter at 40 kg LW. 24 lambs were studied for each feeding system in both years. The pasture was characterized from samples (0.1 m2) collected at different points in each plot. To evaluate the ingestive behaviour - bite mass (g forage per bite) and biting rate (number of bites per minute), the continuous bite monitoring method was applied. The daily grazing time also was monitored. Analysis of variance was performed by a GLM procedure. The forage canopy was predominantly composed of black oats and ryegrass, but with the occurrence of other species (Table 1). The bite mass was higher for the suckling lambs compared to weaned and supplemented ones, in second winter. The biting rate of the suckling lambs was higher (P=0,015) for the first (2015) but it did not differ (P=0.496) for the second winter (2016). Most of the bites were composed by the mixture of species, about 15 cm of height, with presence of senescent material, for both systems. Weaned and supplemented lambs showed the shortest daily grazing time (P<0,05). Lambs that were finished under breastfeeding, without concentrate, increases the bite mass (g) and the grazing time to meet nutritional requirements. The animals modify their ingestive behaviour adapting to the nutritional status and influenced by the feeding systems.

Some Growth, Reproduction and Lactation Characteristics of Hamdani Sheep

This research was conducted to determine some growth reproduction and lactation characteristics of fat tailed Hamdani sheep in extensive farm conditions in the Çığlı village of Çukurca district of Hakkari Province in Turkey. It was found out that average of birth weight, weaning weight and 6th month live weight were 4.13, 21.78 and 35.09 kg respectively. The average daily gains from birth to weaning and from birth to the 6th month were 171.98 and 196.30 g respectively. Hamdani, sheep giving birth between December to February, it’s reproduction characteristics such as lambing rate, infertility rate, fecundity, twinning rate and litter size were found to be 92%, 8%, 1.04, 13.05% and 1.13 respectively. The survival rates of lambs until the 7th and 90th (until weaning) days were 98.5% and 94.6% respectively. The means of lactation milk yield and lactation length for ewes were 83.96 L and 170.98 days respectively. Consequently, it was concluded that Hamdani sheep had a better performance over performance for traits in question compared to Turkish native sheep breeds and some certain cross breeds developed and recently known in Turkey.

Effect of concentrate feed supplementation during different physiological stages in Madras Red Sheep

This study was undertaken to assess the performance of Madras Red sheep fed concentrate feed at different physiological stages such as prior to breeding (14 days), late gestation (last 42 days) and early lactation (first 60 days) and compounded feed for growing lambs up to 120 days of age. The study was conducted at Postgraduate Research Institute in Animal Sciences, Kattupakkam, Tamil Nadu. In this, sixty ewes were selected in the age group of 3 to 5 years and divided into three groups with twenty in each group. The first group was allowed for grazing for seven hours daily from 9.00 A.M to 4.00 P.M and served as control group (G1).The second and third group (G2 and G3) of animals were supplemented with concentrate feed @ 10% and 20% of their daily dry matter requirement, respectively. The result indicates that the supplementation of concentrate feed to sheep significantly (p less than 0.05) improved the production and reproduction performance of sheep in terms of body weight gain during late pregnancy and early lactation, conception rate, lambing percentage, birth weight and ADG of lambs in group (G3) when compared to concentrate feed supplementation @ 10 % of dry matter requirement (G2) or non-supplemented groups (G1). It is concluded that the net profit available per ewe was more in G3 followed by G 2 and G1 groups.

Growth of lambs receiving a supplementary milk replacer or reared traditionally in a flock of Polish Heath sheep

The aim of the study was to compare the body weight gain and survival rate of lambs receiving a milk replacer as supplementary feed with lambs reared traditionally. The research was conducted in a flock of Polish Heath sheep. Of 244 lambs born, 42 lambs from multiple births were given supplementary feed. The lambs received the milk replacer until the 35th day of rearing. Body weight was monitored at birth and on days 28, 56 and 100 of life. Reproductive parameters and survival rate of lambs were derived from breeding documentation. There were no significant differences in the survival rate of lambs in the two groups, which was above 80%. The average birth weight of lambs reared traditionally and of those receiving the milk replacer was similar. During the entire rearing period, the lambs that required supplementary feeding grew more slowly. Twin lambs receiving the supplement and twin lambs reared traditionally had similar body weight and daily gains up to the 56th day of life, but the twin lambs receiving supplementary feed had a significantly lower body weight at day 100 and growth rate during the entire rearing period. The growth rate of triplets fed supplementary milk replacer was not significantly different from that of triplets reared traditionally in any period of the study.

Factors affecting differences between birth weight of littermates (BWTD) and the effects of BWTD on lamb performance

The objectives of this study were to determine factors affecting lamb birth weight (BWT) and differences between BWT of the largest and smallest littermates (BWTD) and to assess the relative importance of BWT and BWTD on lamb survival and growth to weaning. Records from twin (n = 5369) or triplet (n = 1664) litters born on pasture were utilised. Breeds included Coopworth, Romney, Perendale, composite and Texel. Ewe and sire breed, age and weight of the dam, sex, and number of lambs born (NLB) affected BWT. Neither embryo loss nor ovulation pattern (i.e. all ova released from one ovary or some from each) were associated with BWT. Dam weight and NLB affected BWTD but dam age, sire or dam breed did not. Loss of an embryo reduced BWTD, and BWTD was lower when the ewe ovulated from both ovaries versus only one ovary for twins, but not triplets. Whereas BWT was moderately heritable (h2 = 0.20), BWTD was not heritable (h2 = 0.003). Lamb survival was positively associated with BWT. Lambs with BWTD > 1.3 kg were less likely to survive (73.3%) than those from litters of smaller BWTD (range 82.8–85.7% survival). Growth rate of twin and triplet lambs was positively associated with BWT. Surprisingly, lambs from litters with moderately high BWTD had slightly greater (approximately 3%) growth rate than those from lambs of low to intermediate BWTD. Thus, while large BWTD were negatively associated with survival, BWT itself, which was moderately heritable, appeared to be a stronger driver of lamb survival and average daily gain.

Influence of feeding garlic plant either as powder or oil on reproductive performance of ewes

Garlic as feed additives has been shown to favorably effects in in vitro studies, but there are a few in vivo studies that have examined female animal responses in different physiological stages (pregnant and lactating). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of garlic powder and garlic oil additives on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and reproductive performance of ewes. Eighteen pregnant ewes aged 2-3 years and weighed 40.86kg body weight at late gestation were selected and randomly distributed into three similar groups (6 in each). The first group (G1) fed on concentrate feed mixture to cover 60% of their energy maintenance requirements + clover hay to cover the remain percentage (control ration). The second group (G2) fed control ration + garlic powder as 2% of dry matter intake. While the third group (G3) fed control ration + 2 ml/head/day of garlic oil. The trial lasted for 4 months (one month at late gestation followed by three months at lactation period). Data revealed the positive effect of garlic powder and their oil on rumen ammonia concentration and Protozoa number. While, ruminal pH levels, volatile fatty acids concentrations, dry matter intake, average milk yield and growth rate of lambs were not significantly affected by the experimental additives. Blood urea concentration was significantly decreased by adding garlic oil. Results cleared that triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased in G2 and G3 compared to control treatment. In conclusion, garlic oil or garlic powder supplementation to ration of lactating ewes had beneficial effects on rumen fermentation and lipids metabolism.

Effect of Supplementing Effective Microbes (Em) on Growth Rate of Lambs

Effect of Supplementing Effective Microbes (Em) on Growth Rate of Lambs

Weaner survival is heritable in Australian Merinos and current breeding objectives are potentially leading to a decline in survival

There is little evidence to show that mortality rates during the period after weaning are improving over time in Australian sheep. The average mortality rate of Merino lambs during the post-weaning period has been estimated to be 5.2%. The present study explored the potential for producers to breed for improved survival rates during the post-weaning period and the potential impact this would have on key production traits. A total of 122526 weaner survival (mortality) records were obtained from 18 Merino flocks, between 1989 and 2014, encompassing a wide variety of Australian Merino sheep types and production systems. The heritability of weaner survival from a sire model was estimated to be 0.07 ± 0.01 and was significantly greater than zero. The survival of lambs post-weaning was significantly influenced by weaning weight, with higher survival rates observed in the heavier lambs. The phenotypic relationship with weight indicates that selection for heavier weaning and post-weaning weights, and in turn larger growth rates, will improve survival rates. There is genetic variation in weaner survival not explained by the relationship with weaning weight. Weight-corrected weaner survival was antagonistically genetically correlated with fleece weight. Due to these antagonistic genetic relationships selection based on popular MERINOSELECT indexes is leading to a very small reduction in the survival rate of lambs after weaning through to the post-weaning stage. To prevent a decline in weaner survival, producers are advised to record weaner survival and include it in their breeding objective.

The effect of the endotoxemia on the abomasal emptying rate in suckling lambs as shown by acetaminophen absorption test

Abomasal hypomotility and a decreased rate of abomasal emptying are believed to play important roles in the etiopathogenesis of abomasal disorders in ruminants. The abomasal emptying rate is potentially influenced by several factors. Effect of endotoxins on contractility of smooth-muscle preparations from the bovine abomasal antrum has been evaluated, and the results showed that endotoxemia has an inhibitory effect on contractility of abomasal smooth-muscle fibers. To evaluate the effect of the endotoxemia on the abomasal emptying rate in suckling lambs, this study was conducted. This study was done on five suckling lambs in two phases. In phase 1 (control group), the first blood sample was obtained in 7 a.m. (time zero). Then a mixture of milk, barium sulfate 70%, and acetaminophen was administered orally to each lamb. Afterwards, blood samples were obtained each 15 min up to 4 h later. Phase 2 (treatment group) was similar to phase 1, but after the first blood sampling in time zero in 7 a.m., endotoxemia was induced by administration of commercial lipopolysaccharide at dose rate of 2 μg/kg. The rest of the processes of phase 2 were similar to phase 1. Cmax, Tmax, and area under concentration curve (AUC) of acetaminophen were measured in the control and treatment groups. The abomasal emptying rate was assessed by comparing Cmax, Tmax, and AUC of acetaminophen between the control and treatment groups. The data from the control and treatment groups were analyzed statistically by SPSS program, using one-way ANOVA. Results indicated that Cmax, Tmax, and AUC in the endotoxemic (treatment) group were significantly different compared with those in the control group, which means endotoxemia decreased abomasal emptying rate. Results of present study indicated that endotoxemia profoundly decreases the abomasal emptying rate in suckling lambs. Thus, administration of drugs which attenuate endotoxemia could enhance the abomasal emptying rate in endotoxemic animals.

Effect of Inclusion Rate of Effective Microbes (Em) On Growth Rate of Lambs Fed Low Protein Diet

Background : A great majority of animal feed is roughage based (poor in quality) in crop-livestock mixed farming system of southern Ethiopia. EM is considered as one of the options that may improve poor quality feeds dominant in the area. A study was conducted to determine inclusion rate of effective microbes (EM mixed with wheat bran, EM-bokashi) on growth rate of lambs fed low protein diets at Dubo Mante research sub-station. Method : Twenty four (24) post pubertal male sheep of similar age (about 12 months age) with an average weight of 14.1±1.74 kg were purchased from local market. The lambs were assigned randomly to one of the four treatments (T1=0% EM, T2=1% EM, T3=3% EM, T4=5% EM). Water and rhodes ( Chlorias gayana ) hay were offered ad libtum . Results : EM-bokashi supplemented at 5% resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher intake and growth rate in terms of weight gain than those supplemented with 3% EM-bokashi. Likewise, lambs supplemented with 3% EM-bokashi showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth rate than those supplemented with 1% while the difference between 1% and the control (0%) is not significant. Similarly, lesser disease occurrence was observed in lambs supplemented with EM-bokashi than untreated animals. Supplementing 5% EM-bokashi added 51.2% and 43.6% additional economic incentives over the control and 1% EM level, respectively. Generally, both weight gain and profitability increased as level of EM supplementation advanced. Conclusion : Additional weight in terms of daily weight gain and profitability considered in this experiment are crucial in the livelihood of small-scale farmers. Hence, 5% EM-bokashi could be recommended as biologically and economically profitable inclusion level for lambs fed on low protein diet under smallholder farmer’s management conditions. Keywords: - Lambs, growth, roughage, strategic supplementation, effective micro-organisms

Association of residual feed intake with growth and slaughtering performance, blood metabolism, and body composition in growing lambs

The aim of this study was to determine the association of residual feed intake (RFI) with growth performance, blood metabolic parameters, and body composition factors in growing lambs. Individual body weight (BW) and dry matter intake (DMI) were determined in 137 male Hu lambs that were given a pellet feed four times a day for 50 d. RFI did not show a correlation with metabolic BW (MBW) or average daily gain (ADG), but it showed a positive correlation with DMI and feed conversation ratio (FCR). Organ weight and intestine length had a large influence on RFI in lambs. The low-RFI lambs have smaller rumen and longer duodenum indicating the less feed intake and more sufficient absorption rate of low-RFI lambs. The smaller organs like liver, lung and kidney in low-RFI lambs may be related to lower energy consumption and slower metabolic rate. The observed bigger testis was in low-RFI lambs was another cause of the improved feed efficiency. Finally, the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were lower in the ELow-RFI group than in the EHigh-RFI group. This study provides new insight into the biological processes underlying variations in feed efficiency in growing lambs.

Evaluation of Rambouillet, Polypay, and Romanov–White Dorper × Rambouillet ewes mated to terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: Lamb production1,2

Ewe productivity (i.e., total number or weight of lambs weaned per breeding ewe) is a key indicator of lamb production efficiency. This study compared various measures of ewe productivity and ewe and lamb performance among ewes of 3 breed types mated to rams of 4 terminal-sire breed types in an extensive rangeland production system. Purebred Rambouillet (n = 212), purebred Polypay (n = 236), and crossbred Romanov–White Dorper × Rambouillet (RW-RA; n = 231) ewes were produced from locally adapted Polypay and Rambouillet ewes and then annually mated to Columbia, Suffolk, Columbia × Suffolk, or Suffolk × Columbia sires for up to 4 yr, beginning at 1 yr of age. The cumulative number and weight of lambs weaned through 4 yr were greater for RW-RA (5.9 lambs and 153 kg, respectively) and Polypay ewes (4.9 lambs and 123 kg, respectively) than for Rambouillet ewes (2.9 lambs and 99 kg, respectively) and also were greater for RW-RA ewes than for Polypay ewes (all P < 0.001). Greater productivity of RW-RA and Polypay ewes, compared with Rambouillet ewes, was driven by greater lambing rates (ewes lambing per ewe exposed) as ewe lambs (87 and 77 vs. 31%, respectively; P < 0.001) and greater (P < 0.001) litter sizes as ewe lambs (1.3, 1.3, and 1.0, respectively) and adult ewes (2.1, 2.0, and 1.6, respectively). The RW-RA ewes also had greater longevity (P < 0.01) and cumulative lambing rates (P < 0.001) than Polypay and Rambouillet ewes. Lamb BW at birth and weaning in adult ewes favored less-prolific Rambouillet ewes (P < 0.001), but after adjustment for type of birth and rearing and weaning age, differences in weaning BW among ewe breed types were small and not significant (P = 0.08). Effects of sire breed type on measures of cumulative ewe productivity were not significant (P > 0.74), but Suffolk-sired lambs had the heaviest adjusted birth weights (P = 0.01) and Columbia-sired lambs tended to have the lightest adjusted weaning weights (P = 0.12). Combined effects of heterosis and additive breed effects were associated with greater lambing rates in ewe lambs, larger litters at all ages, and substantially greater number and weight of lambs weaned for Polypay and RW-RA ewes than for Rambouillet ewes.

Effects of Different Level of Gamma Irradiation on Barley and Soybean Seeds on Rumen Degradation Rate and Performance of Lambs

Effects of Different Level of Gamma Irradiation on Barley and Soybean Seeds on Rumen Degradation Rate and Performance of Lambs

Influence of varying levels of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, growth performance and economic efficiency in lambs

ABSTRACTThe study was conducted to evaluate the influence of partial replacement of concentrate with dried citrus pulp (DCP) on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, growth rate and economic efficiency in lambs. Citrus pulp was sun dried and chemical evaluation was conducted. Forty entire male Lohi lambs approximately 4–5 months of age were used in a randomized complete block design. On the basis of body weight, lambs were divided into 4 groups, 10 lambs in each group. The animals were fed 30% forages and 70% concentrate. The concentrate contained DCP10%, DCP20%, DCP30% or DCP40%. The experiment continued up to 120 days. A non-significant effect was observed on nutrient intake and digestibility by various levels of DCP. Nitrogen balance was also remained unaffected among the treatments. A non-significant effect was observed on average daily gain in lambs fed varying levels of DCP. A decreasing trend in price per kg of feed was observed as the level of DCP increased in the diet. These results indicated that DCP can be used successfully up to 40% of the concentrate in the diet of lambs without any adverse effect on feed intake and growth performance.