Evaluation of Various Protein Sources for Growing and Finishing Awssi Lambs

Authors : Abdullah Y ABDULLAH, Marwan M MUWALLA, Muhammed Y HARB

Pages : 475-482

View : 17 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Sixty four newly weaned Awassi lambs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(initial BW = 21.0 ± 0.75 kg); from both sexes were randomly allocated to one of the four treatments insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(8 males & 8 females/treatment); and grouped into 8 pens with 8 lambs from each sex per pen. They were then used to evaluate the different sources of protein on a finishing performance trial. The lambs were fed for a period of 114 days using four different rations. These rations were so formulated as to contain the same percentage of crude protein 14 %, but from different sources namely sunflower seed meal insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SSM);, bitter vetch seed insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BVS); and urea. Comparisons were made with the control diet having soybean meal insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SBM); as a major source of protein. Four animals from each group were slaughtered and the right leg from each carcass was dissected for examination of differences in muscularity and for carcass and leg composition. Average feed intake over the first 8 weeks of the trial increased linearly insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P0.001); higher final live weight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(47.2 Vs 37.9 kg);, average live weight gain insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(26719 Vs 16409g); and average daily gain insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(234 Vs 144 g/day); than female lambs. The SBM ration had significantly a higher feed efficiency value compared to the other experimental rations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3.22, 4.20, 3.99, and 3.77 kg/kg for SBM, SSM, BVS, and urea, respectively);. The production responses to the rations were observed only in the first 14 days of the experiment. Thereafter, no significant differences in intake on body weight were obtained through day-56 or day-114. Thus, the BVS and urea rations both gave a high feed efficiency which was comparable to that of the SBM ration insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(6.21, 6.20 Vs 6.10 kg/kg for BVS, urea and SBM, respectively);. The male lambs showed higher feed efficiency insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P0.05); on hot and cold carcass weight, dressing-out pencentage, tail fat weight, all non-carcass component weights, all carcass linear dimensions or on the dissected leg tissue weight. The male lambs, however, had higher insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P
Keywords : Awassi lambs, protein, performance, feedlot, carcass characteristics