Effect of Feeding with Fixed and Varying Protein Levels on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Fattening Lambs

Authors : Ahamdi Aktaş, Yilmaz Bahtiyarca

Pages : 26-37

View : 6 | Download : 22

Publication Date : 1997-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :An experiment was carried out for four 14 days periods with male Konya Meri- no lambs which were weaned at 2-2,5 months of age to ascertain the effect of feeding with fixed and down scaling of protein levels on the performance and carcass characteristics in fattening lambs. Twenty four lambs were allotted to six treatment groups on the basis of weight. The study was conducted in completely randomized design. The four replicated treatments involving one lamb per treatment were as follows: 1st group (control) was fed diet containing %15 protein during the experiment. 2nd group was fed diet with 15% and 11% protein during the first 28 and the last 28 days of age respectively. 3rd group was fed diet with 18% and 11% protein during the same periods respectively. 4th group was fed diet with 18% and 15% protein during the same periods respectively. 5th group was fed diet with 18,15 % and 11% protein, during the first 28 days, from 28 to 42 days and from 42 to 56 days of age respectively. 6th group was fed diet containing 11% protein during the experiment. The lambs were individally housed, weighted and fed. Performance characteristics, except feed conversion (feed/gain), slaughter weight and many of carcass criterias of the 6th group were lower than other groups. There were not statictically significant differences among the groups in respect to performance characteristics during 0-56 days of age, except 6th group. But there were significant differences among the groups in respect to carcass criterias. Carcas characteristics of 1st, 4th and 5th groups were generally higher then other groups.
Keywords : Konya Merinosu, kuzu besisi, protein, besi performansı