• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1274-1279
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• 2003

Thirty-six Naeimi ram lambs were equally and randomly allotted to four treatment groups with three replications per treatment to determine the simple and additive effects of monensin and zeranol on growth performance, carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility. The treatment groups were: basal diet-fed lambs (C), monensin-fed lambs (M) where the basal diet was supplemented with 33 mg monensin per kilogram DM, lambs implanted with 12 mg zeranol (Z), and monensin-fed lambs implanted with zeranol (MZ). Lambs fed monensin-containing diet consumed 10.5% less (p<0.05) DM/100 kg weight and were 8.3% more (p<0.05) efficient in converting feed than lambs fed control diet. Zeranol implanted lambs tended to grow 35.2% (p<0.05) faster, consumed 5.1% more (p<0.05) feed and were (p<0.05) 21.9% more efficient in their feed conversion than control lambs. Responses of lambs to monensin and zeranol implants were not additive. Except for Z treatment, there were no marked differences in all carcass characteristics among the various treatment groups. Z-lambs produced 12.7% heavier (p<0.05) carcasses compared with those from C treatment. Also fat parameters, namely, kidney and pelvic fat (KP), body wall thickness and fat thickness, indicated trends for higher finish in Z treatment lambs (p<0.05) than for those lambs from other treatments. Except for CF and ADF, no significant differences in nutrients digestibility were noticed between various treatments; feeding monensin resulted in 24.5% and 8.5% depressions (p<0.05) in CF and ADF digestibility, respectively in comparison to C treatment. Nitrogen retention as percentage of total N-intakes was averaging 7.5 and 20.2% higher (p<0.05) in lambs implanted with zeranol than those fed the M and C diets, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.785-790
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• 2000

The effect of formaldehyde treatment of solvent and mechanical extracted cottonseed meal on the performance, digestibility and nitrogen balance was assessed in lambs. Four total mixed rations viz., A, B, C and D containing 40% untreated and treated solvent and mechanical extracted meal were prepared. Sixteen male lambs with average BW of 20-22 kg were randomly allocated to experimental rations and were fed individually during ninety days growth trial. The treatment of solvent extracted cottonseed meal resulted in a linear decrease in ruminal protein degradation. Maximum decrease (64%) in protein degradation was observed at 4 h incubation time with 0.3% formaldehyde treatment. Highest daily BW gain was observed in lambs fed on rations Band D compared to lambs fed on rations A and C. Daily BW gain was higher on rations having 0.3% for fromaldehyde treated cottonseed meals. Higher DM digestibility was observed on ration D compared to other rations. Higher (p<0.05) CP and CF digestibility was observed on rations Band D compared to rations A and C. Nitrogen retention as % age of nitrogen intake was (p<0.05) higher for lambs fed rations B and D compared to rations A and C. Similar pattern was observed for nitrogen retention as percent of nitrogen absorbed. The present study suggested that oil extraction methods of cottonseed did not alter their meal utilization in lambs, however, formaldehyde (0.3%) treatment of meals enhanced its efficiency for growth, digestibility and nitrogen balance in lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2005

The study was conducted to compare the dry matter intake and digestibility of Atriplex halimus (AH) and Atriplex nummularia (AN) and determine the proper proportion of saltbushes for partial replacement of alfalfa hay in the diets of Awassi sheep. The foliage of AH and AN were hand-plucked, air-dried in shade and then chopped mechanically similar to alfalfa hay. Two trials were conducted separately to determine voluntary feed intake and digestibility of saltbush browse. In the first trial, fifteen 8 month old Awassi lambs were distributed into 3 equal groups, and each animal was housed in individual pen. Each group received one of three dietary treatments: chopped alfalfa hay (H), dried foliage of Atriplex nummularia or foliage of Atriplex halimus. In the second trial, twentyseven 12 months old Awassi male lambs were randomly selected, distributed into nine equal groups, and housed into metabolic crates. Each group of animals received one of nine dietary treatments: alfalfa hay, AN, AH and different proportions (25, 50 and 75%) of AN or AH mixed with alfalfa hay. Forage type had a significant (p<0.001) effect on dry matter intake (DMI) and growth rate of lambs of the voluntary feed intake trial. Lambs receiving the alfalfa hay diet showed high DMI and high growth rate compared to those fed the diets containing saltbush. In the digestibility trial, dietary treatments had significant (p<0.05) effect on DMI, dry matter digestibility (DMD) (p<0.01) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) (p<0.01). The inclusion of AN in the diet up to 50% had no significant effect on DMI and DMD, whereas the inclusion of AH above 25% reduced DMI, DMD and OMD. The treatments had significant (p<0.05) effect on water intake and on live weight changes of lambs. Except for the diet containing 25% of AN browse, all lambs fed diets containing the saltbushes exhibited loss in body weight. The nutritive value of Atriplex nummularia foliage is better than that of A. halimus and it is possible to replace up to 50% of alfalfa hay by A. nummularia without negative effects on intake and digestibility of dry matter.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.299-303
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• 1990

Twenty-four Harnai lambs 6 to 7 month old, weighing $16{\pm}2kg$ were used in a completely randomized design in growth and digestibility trials to study fourwing saltbush ratio supplemented with cotton seed cake. The animal were divided at random into three groups of 8 animals each. Three iso-nitrogenous (10.5% CP) experimental rations (1, 2 and 3) containing wheat straw + lucerne hay (24:76); fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) + cotton seed cake (71:29); and wheat straw + cottonseed cake (41:59); respectively, were allotted to each group randomly. All the animals were taken out for grazing in a dormant native range for about 3 hours in the afternoon during the growth trial. The growth trial lasted for 8 weeks followed by a digestibility trial. At the end of 8 weeks lambs on ration 3 had gained significantly (p<0.10) more weight compared to those on rations 1 and 2 which maintained their body weight. The crude protein digestibility of the fourwing saltbush based ration was comparable with the other two treatments (71 vs 70 and 71%). However, the digestibility of dry matter (41%), acid detergent fibre (13%) and neutral detergent fibre (22%) of this ration was significantly lower (p<0.10) than the other two diets. The results suggest that lambs can be maintained on fourwing saltbush during winter without significant loss in body weight with 30% extra protein concentrate supplementation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2013

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the intake, nutrient apparent digestibility and the effect of total collection days (two and four days) on apparent digestibility estimates for lambs fed diets containing sugar cane treated with calcium oxide (CaO). Eight Santa In$\hat{e}$s castrated male lambs with a $16.6{\pm}1.8$ kg body weight were used. The lambs were distributed in two $4{\times}4$ Latin squares, with four experimental periods of 14 d each. The animals were kept in 1.2 $m^2$ individual pens, and the intake and digestibility evaluations were performed during the last four days of each period. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous, containing 14% crude protein (CP), and presenting 70% sugar cane treated with 0, 0.75, 1.5 or 2.25% of CaO (as-fed basis), corrected with 1% urea, and 30% concentrate. The sugar cane with added CaO was chopped, treated, and offered to the animals after 24 h of storage. The sugar cane with CaO increased the DM, OM, CP, NDF, NDFap, TC, NFCap and TDN intake (kg/d), when compared to natural sugar cane, and produced the same intake expressed as a percentage of body weight (% BW). The NFCap digestibility of the CaO-treated sugar cane was inferior to the NFCap digestibility in natural sugar cane. There was a linear increase in the DM intake with the CaO-added sugar cane, but the DM and NDF digestibility and the TDN content decreased linearly. The chemical treatment of sugar cane with CaO increases the intake but does not improve the nutrient digestibility. Two days of total fecal collection were found to be sufficient to estimate the total apparent digestibility in lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2001

Twelve growing male lambs ($10.05{\pm}0.41kg$, 5 months age) were assigned to three equal groups in a completely randomized design and fed respectively wheat straw (WS), ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) or urea supplemented wheat straw (USWS) along with concentrate mixtures of varying protein and energy contents to meet their requirements as per NRC (1985). Despite comparable nutrient intake and digestibility, the lambs fed A WS based diet digested lower (p<0.05) crude protein. The digestibility of NDF and hemicellulose were lower while the digestibility of cellulose was higher in lambs on AWS as compared to lambs on USWS based diet. The lambs of all the three groups were in positive and comparable N, Ca and P balance except higher Ca balance in lambs fed WS based diet. The body weight change, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency were similar among the dietary groups. All the parameters of rumen fermentation pattern were comparable between lambs of AWS and USWS based diets except ammonia-N concentration that was higher in the latter however it was lower in WS fed group. Though, the feeding cost per unit gain was comparable in lambs fed all the three diets, the cost incurred towards roughage during 120 days of experimental feeding was significantly less in lambs fed AWS than UTWS. Thus, feeding of USWS can be practiced to minimize labour cost and environmental pollution involved in the process of urea treatment without affecting the performance of growing lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1124-1132
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• 2009

A trial was conducted to study the effect of supplemental chromium (Cr) levels from a Cr-yeast source on performance, digestibility and carcass characteristics of transport-stressed lambs. Forty-eight Naemi lambs (avg. BW 31.7 kg) were transported by truck for a distance of 1,450 km. On arrival day, the lambs were randomly allocated to four groups receiving diets supplemented with 0.0, 0.3, 0.6 or 0.9 ppm Cr. Each group consisted of four separately housed replicates of three lambs each. The lambs were fed their respective diets ad libitum for 84 d (21 d stress period, followed by 63 d growing period). Road transit of lambs resulted in a decreased (p<0.001) live body weight of 8.5%. Supplementation of Cr-yeast did not alter the performance of lambs during the stress period. Linear and quadratic increases (p<0.05) were observed in DMI and ADG, respectively, with increasing supplemental Cr levels in the diets during the growing period. Values were greater (p<0.05) by 14.7% and 20.8%, respectively, for lambs fed 0.3 ppm Cr compared to control, while those fed on the other two levels were intermediate. Over the 84-d feeding period, a trend was noted towards a slight increase in loin eye area and a decrease in body wall fat thickness for lambs fed Cr supplementation compared to the control group. This study suggests that the supplementation of Cr-yeast, especially at 0.3 ppm level, is beneficial for improving the performance of growing lambs whether the animals are stressed or not.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.633-641
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• 2021

Objective: The effects of adding fermented feed to a pelleted total mixed ration (PTMR) on the growth performance of lambs remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the feed efficiency and productivity of lambs that were fed PTMR containing fermented soybean meal (FSM) or wheat bran (FWB). Methods: Sixty 90-d-old hybrid lambs were randomly allocated into 12 pens (5 lambs/pen) that were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments (3 pens/treatment) with PTMR (basal diet), 2% FSM, or Lactobacillus- or yeast-FWB (L-FWB or Y-FWB) addition in the basal diet. Results: The findings showed that lambs fed 2% FSM supplemented diet had enhanced (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and carcass yield (p = 0.015), while they had a decreased (p = 0.006) feed conversion ratio compared to that of other three groups. Inclusion of FSM or FWB in PTMR improved (p<0.05) the nutrient digestibility, while it reduced the urea nitrogen content in serum compared to the PTMR group. Additionally, the decreased ratio of N excretion to ADG (p<0.01) was observed with FSM and L-FWB supplementation compared with the PTMR and Y-FWB groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, feeding the fermented feed-supplemented diet improved nutrient digestibility and growth performance, and 2% FSM-supplemented diet exhibited superior production-promoting efficiency to lambs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.643-650
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• 2009

Two metabolism trials were conducted with 24 wether lambs to investigate the effects of feeding crab meal and other protein supplements on N utilization, digestibility and Ca and P balance in sheep. The lambs (avg. BW, 25 kg) were randomly allotted to eight diets in each of two trials. The supplements were: i) none, negative control (NC); ii) soybean meal (SBM), control; iii) supplement based on industrial byproducts of both plant and animal origin (IPA); iv) experimental supplement based on byproducts of animal origin (ESA); v) hydrolyzed supplement No 4. (HESA); vi) commercial supplement based on animal protein (CS), $Pro-Lak^{(R)}$ vii) crab meal (CM); and viii) urea (U). The supplements supplied 33% of the total dietary N (CP, 9.8%; DM basis). Lambs fed the NC diet had lower (p<0.05) DM and OM digestibility. Lower (p<0.05) apparent absorption of N was recorded for the lambs fed the HESA and NC diets. Sheep fed CM had lower Ca absorption compared to SBM. Highest (p<0.05) P absorption was observed for lambs fed CS and CM and lowest for U and NC diets. Sheep fed CM had higher (p<0.05) total VFA concentration (65.7 ${\mu}mol/ml$), compared to those fed ESA, CS, and NC diets (47.3, 49.8, and 49.5 ${\mu}mol/ml$, respectively). Highest (p<0.05) ruminal $NH_3$ N (29.6 mg/dl) was observed in lambs fed the U diet, while those fed the NC diet had the lowest (p<0.05) average value (7.66 mg/dl). Lambs fed the U diet had the highest (p<0.05) blood urea N (10.67 mg/dl). The present study showed that N utilization of diets supplemented with experimental supplements based on feather meal and blood meal; commercial supplement based on animal protein, $Prolak^{(R)}$ supplement based on plant protein and blood meal; and crab meal are comparable with that of soybean meal.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.527-532
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• 2019

Objective: Phosphorous (P) sources with greater bioavailability might increase animal production efficiency and decrease environmental pollution. The objective of current study was to determine animal performance, nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and fecal P concentration in finishing lambs fed a diet with either di-calcium phosphate (DCP) or di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) as a P source. Methods: Twelve 4-month-old male lambs (initial body weight $24.87{\pm}3.4kg$) were randomly allocated to a diet with either DCP or DAP (~261 g/kg of total diet P) fed ad libitum for 93 days. Diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-energetic and had same calcium (Ca) and P concentrations. Results: The DAP contained 19.7 g/kg of dry matter (DM) Ca, 185.4 g/kg DM P and 14,623 ppm fluorine, while DCP contained 230.3 g/kg DM Ca, 195.2 g/kg DM P and 1,039 ppm fluorine. The diet with DAP contained 60 ppm fluorine while the diet with DCP contained 13 ppm fluorine. Lambs fed the diet with DAP tended to have a greater daily DM intake compared to those fed diet with DCP (p = 0.09). Lambs fed DAP had greater plasma P concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity ($p{\leq}0.01$) compared with lambs fed DCP. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility of the diets were similar between two treatments at days 60 and 90, while they were greater in lambs fed DCP (p<0.05) at day 30 of the trial. Feeding DAP increased P digestibility (58.7% vs 50.2%; p<0.05) and decreased fecal P concentration in lambs compared with feeding DCP (3.1 vs 3.8 g/kg DM; p<0.05). Conclusion: Providing ~261 g/kg of total diet P as DAP in the diet of finishing lambs improved the bioavailability of P in the body and decreased excretion of P in feces without affecting lamb performance.