DEVELOPMENT OF FEEDING PRACTICES FOR OPTIMUM GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS IN WEANED/GROWING RAM LAMBS
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Date
2011-02
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
The first experiment was conducted to develop a suitable feeding system to
early weaned Nellore ram lambs by feeding traditional creep (R-I), creep plus
berseem hay (R-11) and sorghum straw (unconventional) based creep (R-111) for the
first one month followed by sorghum straw based wmplete ration (50:50) for
remaining four months period to all the three groups for obtaining optimum growth at
lower cost.
The second investigation was carried out by feeding sorghum straw (Sorghum
bicolor) based wmplete rations at the ratio of 70:30 (CR-I), 60:40 (CR-II), 50:50
(CR-111) and 40:60 (CR-IV) for I80 days to find out suitable ratio of sorghum straw
and concentrate feed in the economic wmplete ration (mash form) for optimum
growth, production and carcass characteristics in Nellore ram lambs.
The third experiment was conducted on-farm in Nellore ram lambs by feeding
intensively for five months period with sole maize silage (R-I), silage + concentrate at
0.5 per cent body weight (R-11). silage + concentrate at 1.0 per cent body weight
(R-III), silage + wncentrate at 1.5 per cent body weight (R-IV), silage + lucerne hay
(R-V) and silage + GN haulms (R-VI) to develilp a feeding system based on maize
(Zea mays) silage with supplementation of wncentrate mixture and or legume
hay/straw at appropriate level for optimum growth, production and carcass
characteristics and compared with the performance of ram lambs fed sweet sorghum
bagasse based complete diet (R-VII).
The first experiment with early weaned ram lambs. the weight gain (kg) and
average daily gains (g) were non significantly different among the lambs fed different
creep rations. The FCR was significantly (Pc0.01) higher by 9.17 and 19.98 per cent
in ram lambs fed R-I and R-I1 rations, respectively in comparison to lambs fed R-111
ration (unconventional creep). Cost (Rs.)/kg live weight gain was significantly
(P<0.01) lower by 14.60 and 16.56 per cent in lambs fed R-I and R-I11 rations,
respectively in comparison to those fed R-I1 ration. The DCP intake (g/d or g/kg w0 ")
was significantl y (P<0.05) higher by 1 1.9 1, 1 8.75 and 1 3.90 and 1 5.14 per cent in ram
lambs fed R-I ration in comparison to those fed R-I1 and R-Ill rations, respectively.
TDN (g/d) and ME (W/d) intake in early weaned ram lambs fed R-I, R-I1 and R-I11
rations were comparable among the creep rations.
In the second growth trail with complete rations containing different ratios of
sorghum straw and concentrate in Nellore ram lambs, the ADG was significantly
(PK0.05) different among the four experimental complete rations. No difference was
found in ADG between CR-I and CR-I1 rations and also between CR-111 and R-IV
rations. There was 69.35, 39.58 and 17.72 per cent higher gain, respectively in lambs
fed CR-IV ration than CR-I, CR-I1 and CR-I11 rations. The FCR was lower (P<0.01)
by 1 1.87, 16.91 and 22.54 per cent with CR-111, CR-I1 and CR-I rations, respectively
in comparison to CR-IV ration. Cost (Rs.) per kg live weight gain was significantly
(P<0.01) highest in the ram lambs fed CR-rV ration and was lowest in CR-I and it
was lower by 4.53, 14.33 and 20.84 per cent, respectively in comparison to CR-11,
CR-I11 and CR-IV rations.
The DM1 (g/d) increased significantly (P<0.05) as the level of concentrate
increased in the complete rations. No significant difference was found in
digestibilities of DM, OM, EE, CF and NFE. However, CP digestibility was higher
either significantly or non significantly by 2.12, 5.50 and 9.36 per cent, respectively in
lambs fed CR-I1 (P>0.05), CR-111 (P>0.05) and CR-IV (P4.05) rations in comparison
to lambs fed CR-I ration. Further, CP digestibility was higher by 7.09 and 3.66 per
cent in lambs fed CR-IV ration than those fed CR-I1 (P<0.05) and CR-I11 (PB0.05)
ration. The average NDF, ADF, hemicelluloses and cellulose digestibility coefficients
were non significantly different among the four rations. The DCP content of complete
rations was progressively increased significantl y (P<0.05) by 19.49, 4 1.1 7 and 64.12
per cent in CR-11. CR-111 and CR-IV rations, respectively in comparison to CR-I
ration as the level of concentrate increased from 30% to 60% in the diet. TDN (%),
DE (MJkg DM) and ME (MJAcg DM) values were higher either significantl y or non
significantly by 5.13-5.16, 9.39-9.51 and 14.65-14.67 per cent in lambs fed CR-I1
(P>O.OS), CR-I11 (Pc0.05) and CR-IV (Pc0.05) rations, respectively.
The N intake (g/d) was significantly (P<O.Ot) different and progressively
increased bv 3 1 .a0.8 -69n nd R3 Rti npr rent in rmm Immh= Fd PD II FD 111 --A PD
IV rations, respectively in comparison to CR-I ration. Nitrogen balance (g/d) was
higher either significantly or non significantly by 34.46 (P>O.O5), 133.46 (P<0.01)
and 198.87 (Pc0.01) per cent with CR-11, CR-I11 and CR-IV rations, respectively in
comparison to CR-I ration. The N balance expressed as per cent intake or per cent
absorbed was comparable among the four complete rations. The DCP intake (g/d) was
significantly higher by 34.26, 56.80 and 99.86 per cent, respectively with CR-11, CR-
111 and CR-IV rations in wmparison to CR-I ration. Intakes of TDN (gld), DE (MJId)
and ME (MJ/d) were significantly (P<O.OS) higher by 18.05-1 8.13, 21.47-21.56 and
40.43-40.57 per cent, respectively with CR-II, CR-I11 and CR-IV rations in
wmparison to CR-I ration. The dressing percentage expressed either on live or empty
body weight basis and per cent of leg, loin, rack, shoulder and neck and fore shank
and brisket were non significantly different and significant (P<0.01) difference was
found in the lean, bone and fat proportions of carcass. Per cent weights of edible
organs and non edible organs and DM, CP, EE and TA contents of meat of rations in
the ram lambs was insignificantly different among the four complete rations.
In the third growth trial, significantly (P<0.01) increase in ADG in ram lambs
fed R-IV ration was 16.58, 20.49, 24.10, 29.74, 38.28 and 62.01 per cent, respectively
in wmparison to those fed R-VII, R-V, R-111, R-VI, R-I1 and R-I rations. Almost
similar ADG was noticed in lambs fed R-111, R-V and R-VII rations and the
supplementation of concentrate at 0.5%, 1 .O% and 1.5% of body weight plus maize
silage ad lib has increased the growthlgain in ram lambs by 62.48, 99.81 and 163.25
per cent, respectively in comparison to sole silage feeding. Similarly, supplementation
of lucerne hay and groundnut haulms with maize silage has increased the weight gain
by 109.3 1 and 84.97 per cent, respectively in comparison to sole maize silage fed
animals. Sole sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) based complete ration (5050) fed lambs
(R-Vll ration) showed the ADG almost similar t,- those animals fed lucerne hay plus
maize silage ad lib.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.01) different among the
seven experimental rations. The FCR was higher in lambs fed R-IV ration and
followed by R-VII, R-111, R-V, R-VI, R-I1 and R-I rations. The FCR observed in
lambs fed SSB based complete ration (R-VII) was not related to any other maize
silage based rations in the experiment and it was in between R-111 and R-IV rations.
The FCR was lower by 113.60, 44.13 and 21.81 per cent, respectively with R-1, R-I1
and R-111 rations in wmparison to R-IV ration. Almost similar FCR was found in
an~lnalsf ed silage plus concentrate 1.0 Der cent bodv wei nht of cnncenmt~f R -111
The DCP and TDN intake was significantly (Pc0.01) higher by 42.42, 26.32;
54.65, 31.59; 66.13, 37.41; 52.79, 33.54; 43.9, 27.70 and 67.36 and 19.89 per cent
with R-XI, R-111, R-IV, R-V, R-VI and R-VII rations, respectively in comparison to RI
ration. The DE (MJ/d) and ME (MJ/d) intakes was highest (P<0.01) in Nellore ram
lambs fed rations R-IV and R-V and lowest in R-I ration. The DE and ME intake per
kg w"'~ was also significantly (P<0.05) different among the experimental rations and
higher in lambs fed ration R-111 followed by R-IV, R-VI, R-V, R-11, R-VII and R-I
rations.
The dressing percentage on live weight or empty body weight basis and lean,
bone and fat per cent was non significantly different among the seven rations. Leg
portion was significantly (Pc0.01) higher in ration R-IV and lowest in R-I ration. The
weight of edible organs were significantly (P<0.05) different among and the protein,
fat and ash contents in the meat of ram lambs were non significantly different among
the different maize silage based rations in comparison to SSB based ration.
Results of present experiments revealed that, unconventional creep feed
formulated with sorghum straw can be fed to early weaned Nellore ram lambs without
affecting the post weaning growth rate. Sorghum straw can be incorporated up to 60%
level in the complete rations of growing Nellore ram lambs without affecting growth
rate, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics. Maize silage can be supplemented
either with lucerne hay, groundnut haulms (to meet 25% of DM requirement) or
concentrate at 1.5% of body weight depending on the availability for optimum growth
rate, feed efficiency and meat quality in growing Nellore ram lambs.
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