• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.637-647
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• 2019

Objective: The study aimed at quantifying seasonal and spatial variations in availability and nutritive value of herbaceous vegetation on native pastures and supplement feedstuffs for domestic ruminants in Western Kenya. Methods: Samples of herbaceous pasture vegetation (n = 75) and local supplement feedstuffs (n = 46) for cattle, sheep, and goats were collected in 20 villages of three geographic zones (Highlands, Mid-slopes, Lowlands) in Lower Nyando, Western Kenya, over four seasons of one year. Concentrations of dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), gross energy (GE), and minerals were determined. Apparent total tract organic matter digestibility (dOM) was estimated from in vitro gas production and proximate nutrient concentrations or chemical composition alone using published prediction equations. Results: Nutrient, energy, and mineral concentrations were 52 to 168 g CA, 367 to 741 g NDF, 32 to 140 g CP, 6 to 45 g EE, 14.5 to 18.8 MJ GE, 7.0 to 54.2 g potassium, 0.01 to 0.47 g sodium, 136 to 1825 mg iron, and 0.07 to 0.52 mg selenium/kg DM. The dOM was 416 to 650 g/kg organic matter but differed depending on the estimation method. Nutritive value of pasture herbage was superior to most supplement feedstuffs, but its value strongly declined in the driest season. Biomass yields and concentrations of CP and potassium in pasture herbage were highest in the Highlands amongst the three zones. Conclusion: Availability and nutritive value of pasture herbage and supplement feedstuffs greatly vary between seasons and geographical zones, suggesting need for season- and region-specific feeding strategies. Local supplement feedstuffs partly compensate for nutritional deficiencies. However, equations to accurately predict dOM and improved knowledge on nutritional characteristics of tropical ruminant feedstuffs are needed to enhance livestock production in this and similar environments.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.584-593
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare fenugreek (FG) with alfalfa (Alf) in ruminal fermentation and methane (CH4) production in vitro. Methods: Whole-plant FG harvested at 11- and 15-wk and Alf harvested at early and mid-bloom maturities, alone or as 50:50 mixture of FG and Alf at the respective maturity, were assessed in a series of 48-h in vitro batch culture incubations. Total fermentation gas and methane gas production, dry matter (DM) disappearance, volatile fatty acids, microbial protein and 16S RNA gene copy numbers of total bacteria and methanogens were determined. Results: Compared to early bloom Alf, FG harvested at 11-wk exhibited higher (p<0.05) in vitro DM and neutral detergent fibre disappearance, but this difference was not observed between the mid-bloom Alf and 15-wk FG. Regardless plant maturity, in vitro ruminal fermentation of FG produced less (p<0.001) CH4 either on DM incubated or on DM disappeared basis than that of Alf during 48-h incubation. In vitro ruminal fermentation of FG yielded similar amount of total volatile fatty acids with higher (p<0.05) propionate percentage as compared to fermentation of Alf irrespective of plant maturity. Microbial protein synthesis was greater (p<0.001) with 11-wk FG than early bloom Alf as substrate and 16S RNA gene copies of total bacteria was higher (p<0.01) with 15-wk FG than mid-bloom Alf as substrate. Compared to mid-bloom Alf, 15-wk FG had lower (p<0.05 to 0.001) amount of 16S RNA methanogen gene copies in the whole culture during 48-h incubation. Conclusion: In comparison to Alf, FG emerges as a high quality forage that can not only improve rumen fermentation in vitro, but can also remarkably mitigate CH4 emissions likely due to being rich in saponins.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.812-820
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted on 190 progeny (winter -74; summer -59; rainy -57) of 12 Grey Giant rabbits (10 female +2 males), to assess the effect of different seasons in a year, on their reproductive, growth and productive performances along with feed efficiency, under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions. The daily meteorological attributes recorded during winter (October to March), summer (April to June) and rainy (July to September) seasons, and analysed were minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Various biological parameters recorded were doe weights at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, kit mortality, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, weekly body weight up to 98 d and weaner mortality. Individual weight gains, dressing percentages, meat weights, liver weights, raw-pelt weights, processed pelt weights and processed pelt areas at slaughter on d 84 and 98, respectively were also recorded. The feed and fodder compositions and their nutritive values during different seasons were also analysed. Average ambient temperature during winter, summer and rainy seasons were $13.2{\pm}2.8$, $22.4{\pm}3.7$ and $24.8{\pm}2.3^{\circ}C$, respectively. The average relative humidity and total rainfall for winter, summer and rainy seasons were $68.9{\pm}1.5$% and $48{\pm}26.6$mm, $66.3{\pm}4.8$% and $125.6{\pm}56.8$ mm, and $77.3{\pm}1.3$% and $116.3{\pm}90.4$ mm, respectively. The weight of doe at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth and litter size at weaning were comparatively higher whereas litter weight at weaning was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter as compared to summer and rainy seasons. The kit mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while the weaner mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during rainy season. At 84 d, the live weight per doe, slaughter weight, dressing percentage and liver weight were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter than summer and rainy. Similarly, the gain in weight and meat weight at 84 and 98 d were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter. The weight of raw pelt and processed pelt were recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while no difference in the area of processed pelts during different seasons could be observed. No difference in the biological performance could be observed between sexes in any of the seasons. Roughage analysis revealed comparatively higher crude protein percent and lower crude fibre percent during summer and rainy seasons than in winter. The roughage dry matter intake was comparatively higher during summer and rainy seasons vis-a-vis constant amount of concentrate supplied during all the three seasons. The digestibilities of dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) lower, whereas that of crude fiber, acid detergent fibre and cellulose were negative during winter. Interestingly, the feed:gain was exceedingly well during winter than in other seasons and it is concluded that it was the best season for production of rabbits under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.1579-1584
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• 2002

Twelve adult male crossbred (Sahiwal${\times}$Holstein Friesian) cattle were distributed into four groups of three each on body weight basis. Animals were given wheat straw as a basal diet. The animals of group I and II were supplemented with concentrate mixture and animals of group III and IV were supplemented with cold processed urea molasses mineral block (UMMB). Thirty mg monensin/day/animal was supplemented to the animals of group II and 35 ppm monensin were incorporated in the UMMB supplemented to the animals of group IV. Vit.A and D mixture was given to all the animals once a week. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg/d) through wheat straw was 19.0 percent higher in the UMMB (without monensin) supplemented group (group III) than those of the concentrate mixture (without monensin) supplemented group i.e. group I. Total DM intake (kg/d) was lower in the monensin supplemented groups than those of non-supplemented groups though differences were not statistically significant. Digestible dry matter, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake were similar in all the groups. Average block consumption for 45 d period in the group III (0.95 kg/d) and group IV (0.84 kg/d) did not differ significantly. DM digestibility (%) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group II (58.9) as compared to the group I (52.7) and group III (54.0) but similar to the group IV (57.2). OM digestibility was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group II (63.2) as compared to that of the group I (54.9) but similar to the group III (57.8) and IV (59.2). Ether extract (EE) digestibility was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group I (76.9) and II (80.3) as compared to the group III (59.87) and IV (55.77). Nitrogen free extract (NFE) digestibility was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group II (62.38) as compared to that of the other groups. Crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) digestibilities were not affected either due to UMMB or monensin. Nitrogen balance did also not differ significantly among the groups. However, Ca and P balance (g/d) in the group III (3.1, 1.3) and IV (3.0, 1.4) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than those of the group I (0.6, 0.2) and II (0.4, 0.3). Blood glucose (mg/100ml) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in the group II (65.2) and IV (65.2) as compared to the group I (55.2) and group III (53.9). Plasma urea-N level (mg/100 ml) in the group III (19.0) and IV (17.8) were significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of the group I (10.5) and II (12.3). So, monensin supplementation either with cold process UMMB or concentrate mixture did not show any additional effect on feed intake and digestibility but increases blood glucose level in adult cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1529-1534
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• 2004

The nutritive value of lentil straw (Lens culinaris) relative to 4% urea treated wheat straw (w/w) was assessed in adult bucks and milking buffaloes on-station and on-farm, respectively. A digestion-cum-nitrogen balance experiment was conducted with three bucks (24.35 kg) fed ad libitum lentil straw (LS), urea treated wheat straw (UTS) and a 1:1 (w/w DM basis) mixture of LS and UTS (LS:UTS) in a 3$\times$3 Latin square design. Though daily dry matter intake (g kg $W^{0.75}$ or % LW) of bucks fed LS and UTS did not differ significantly, that of LS:UTS was significantly (p<0.05) low. Similarly, digestibility of nutrients (DM, OM and CP) and nitrogen balance (g/day) did not differ significantly for bucks given LS or UTS although a significant positive improvement was evident in these parameters for LS:UTS. The digestibility of fibre fractions (NDF and ADF) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in LS as compared to UTS or LS:UTS. Except for the significantly (p<0.05) lower intake of DCP (g kg$W^{0.75}$), the bucks fed LS had statistically similar nutrient intake as compared to UTS. Feeding of LS:UTS resulted in significantly higher nutrient (DCP, TDN) intake by bucks. The important blood-biochemical parameters (haemoglobin,packed cell volume, glucose, urea nitrogen, total protein) and activity of serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) did not differ significantly in goats irrespective of dietary treatment. In the onfarm study, eighteen multiparous milking buffaloes were randomly assigned into three equal groups to assess the relative effect of feeding untreated wheat straw (WS), UTS and LS:UTS ad libitum as basal feed with a supplement. The study continued for 3 months and revealed that daily dry matter intake and average milk production (liters/day) by buffaloes offered LS:UTS and UTS was statistically similar but it was significantly higher compare to WS. However, milk composition did not differ significantly among the dietary treatments. It may be concluded that the nutritive value of lentil straw appeared to be no different to UTS, however, a positive synergistic effect was evident by feeding a mixture of LS and UTS on performance of goats and lactating buffaloes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.1273-1277
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• 2002

The effect of urea treatment on chemical composition of neem seed kernel cake (NSKC) was investigated by soaking the cake in 2.1% urea solution (1.2 l $kg^{-1}$ NSKC) for five days. The effect on utilisation of nutrients by replacing groundnut cake (GNC) (30%) with urea-treated neem seed kernel cake (UTNSKC) (33%) in a concentrate mixture fed to meet 70% of the protein requirements of lambs (8 males and 8 females), was monitored in a digestibility study. Following urea treatment of NSKC only 9.5% of urea was hydrolysed and the crude protein content of the cake was increased by 6.65%. The tannin content in depulped neem seeds was 37% catechin equivalent. Whereas feeding UTNSKC had no effect on intake of dry matter (72.5 vs 66.3 g/kg $BW^{0.75}day^{-1}$) and digestibility of crude fibre (41.3 vs 43.4%), the cake depressed (p<0.01) the percent digestibility of dry matter (63.7 vs 70.2), crude protein (63.2 vs 70.2), nitrogen free extract (73.8 vs 80.5) and gross energy (64.3 vs 69.1). Digestibility of ether extract (75.8 vs 70.9%) was higher (p<0.05) in animals offered UTNSKC. The nutritive value of the composite ration consumed by lambs offered UTNSKC was lower (p<0.01) in terms of total digestible nutrients (64.7 vs 70.2%) and digestible energy (2.8 vs 3.0 Kcal/g DM). Intake of digestible energy (199.8 vs 194.1 Kcal/kg $BW^{0.75}day^{-1}$) and retention of nitrogen (7.53 vs 8.23 g $day^{-1}$) and calcium (2.12 vs 1.84 g $day^{-1}$) were comparable on the 2 rations. Animals fed UTNSKC retained less (p<0.01) phosphorus (0.37 vs 1.05 g $day^{-1}$). The results indicate that urea treatment increased the protein level of NSKC whereas feeding the treated cake as a replacement of GNC, lowered the digestibility of nutrients and retention of phosphorus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.497-503
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• 2004

The effect of adding carbohydrate-rich feedstuffs to sweet potato leaves (SPL) on silage quality was studied using a total of 180 laboratory silos. Silage quality was assessed by changes of pH, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ammonia nitrogen ($NH_{3}$-N). Pre-wilted SPL was mixed with cassava root meal (CRM), sweet potato root meal (SPM) or sugar cane molasses (Mo) at levels of 0, 30, 60 and 90 g $kg^{-1}$ (air-dry weight of additives to pre-wilted weight of SPL). Samples for assessing silage quality were collected after mixing the SPL with the additive and thereafter at 7, 14, 28 and 56 days of ensiling. There was a marked decrease in pH after 7 days and the pH remained low and stable until day 56. Addition of 60 and 90 g $kg^{-1}$ resulted in a lower pH (p<0.05) than the other treatments. The DM content of the silage increased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of additive, while there were no differences in DM with time of ensiling. The CP content of the silage decreased (p<0.05) with increasing levels of additive. The CP content did not change up to 28 days, but was lower (p<0.05) after 56 days in all treatments. The $NH_{3}$-N levels were increasing (p<0.05) with time of ensiling, and were lower (p<0.05) with additive levels of 60 g $kg^{-1}$ or higher. Also, the additive source affected the $NH_{3}$-N values, with the lowest values found for Mo. Castrated male pigs (Large White$\times$Mongcai) were used in 4$\times$4 Latin square design to study the total tract digestibility and nitrogen (N) utilisation of diets with inclusion of ensiled SPL. The diets were based on cassava root meal with inclusion of protein from either fish meal (C) or SPL ensiled with CRM (D1), SPL ensiled with SPM (D2) and SPL ensiled with Mo (D3). The digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and CP were higher (p<0.05), and the digestibility of crude fibre (CF) was lower (p<0.05), in diet C than in diets D1, D2 and D3. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in digestibility of dietary components between diets D1, D2 and D3. Also, the excretion of N in faeces was higher (p<0.05) and the N retention was lower (p<0.05) in diets D1, D2 and D3 than in diet C. It can be concluded from the present experiments, that a good quality silage can be produced from pre-wilted SPL by addition of 60 g $kg^{-1}$ of either CRM, SPM or Mo. Diets with inclusion of 450 g ensiled SPL $kg^{-1}$ DM showed a high digestibility of dietary components and thus ensiled SPL should be considered as a potential feed resource for growing pigs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.996-1002
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• 2003

A 6 (accession)${\times}$5 (cutting interval) factorial experiment was conducted over two years to investigate the effect of stage of growth on herbage production, nutritive value and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of Napier grass and Napier grass${\times}$Pearl millet hybrids (hybrid Pennisetum). The purpose of the experiment was to determine the optimum stage of growth to harvest the Pennisetums for ensilage. Two Napier accessions (SDPP 8 and SDPP 19) and four hybrid Pennisetum (SDPN 3, SDPN 29, SDPN 38 and Bana grass) were compared at five harvest intervals (viz. 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). Basal fertilizers were similar in all treatment plots, although nitrogen (N) top-dressing fertilizer was varied proportionately, depending on the harvesting interval. The application was based on a standard rate of 60 kg N/ha every six weeks. Stage of growth had significant effects on forage yield, WSC content and nutritive value of the Pennisetums. Herbage yields increased in a progressively linear manner, with age. Nutritive value declined as the harvesting interval increased. In particular, crude protein content declined rapidly (p<0.001) from $204g\;kg^{-1}$ DM at 2 weeks to $92g\;kg^{-1}$ DM at 8 weeks of growth. In vitro dry matter digestibility decreased from 728 to $636g\;kg^{-1}$ DM, whilst acid and neutral detergent fibre contents increased from 360 and 704 to 398 and $785g\;kg^{-1}$ DM, respectively. Rapid changes in nutritive value occurred after 6 weeks of growth. The concentration of WSC increased in a quadratic manner, with peaks ($136-182g\;kg^{-1}$ DM) at about 6 weeks. However, the DM content of the forage was low ($150-200g\;DM\;kg^{-1}$) at 6 weeks. Therefore, it was concluded that Pennisetums should be harvested between 6 and 7 weeks, to increase DM content and optimize herbage production without seriously affecting nutritive value and WSC content. Accessions SDPN 29 and SDPP 19 appeared to be most suited for ensilage. It was suggested that WSC content should be incorporated as a criterion in the agronomic evaluation and screening of Pennisetum varieties.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1721-1728
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• 2007

An in vitro and a feeding trial were conducted to investigate the effect of xylanase supplementation on the feeding value of growing pig diets containing high proportions of Chinese double-low rapeseed meals (DLRM). Seven diets were formulated to meet NRC (1998) nutrient requirements. Diet 1 based on corn-soybean meal was used as positive control 1, and diet 2, a practical diet which incorporated a conventional level of Chinese DLRM (60 g/kg diet), as positive control 2. Diet 3 contained a higher level of DLRM (100 g/kg diet) as the negative control. Diet 3 plus xylanase at 0.10, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.70 g/kg diet created diets 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. The seven diets were incubated in triplicate with the in vitro two-stage enzyme incubation method to predict responses of diets to xylanase in terms of digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). In vitro, the negative control had the lowest CP and NDF digestibility. Both DM and CP digestibility were increased (p<0.05) owing to xylanase supplementation either at 0.50 or 0.70 g/kg diet, and NDF digestibility was improved following xylanase addition at all of the test levels. There was a high linear correlation ($r^2>90$, p<0.05) between the activity concentration of the enzyme when transformed into its logarithmic value and in vitro digestibility coefficients of DM, CP or NDF. In the feeding trial, 112 crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments with 16 replicate pens of one pig each. An obvious dose effect on growth rate was observed ($r^2=0.79$, p<0.05) within the inclusion levels of xylanase. Compared with the negative control, xylanase addition at 0.70 g/kg diet resulted in significantly increased ADG (878 g/d vs. 828 g/d, p<0.05), and a tendency towards improved growth rate (868 g/d vs. 828 g/d, p = 0.10) was also observed following the inclusion of xylanase at 0.50 g/kg diet. It would appear that the nutrient utilization of corn and Chinese DLRM diets by pigs could be enhanced by an appropriate amount of xylanase addition. The in vitro and in vivo results suggested that the in vitro incubation method is feasible for predicting responses of pigs to exogenous enzymes and identifying those preparations that possess potential for improvement of the nutritive values of feedstuffs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1547-1551
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• 2011

Bakery waste (BW) is much cheaper than barley (20 to 40% the price of barley). Bakery waste and barley grain have similar chemical composition; they contain 99 and 97% organic matter (OM), 1.1 and 1.8% fat, 18 and 15% neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and 14.0 and 14.5% crude protein (CP), respectively (DM basis). The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of substituting BW for barley grain in high concentrate fattening diets for lambs on nutrient intake, growth and carcass characteristics. Forty Awassi lambs (21.75${\pm}$1 kg) weaned at the age of 65 days were assigned randomly to four experimental fattening diets differing in BW ratio in a completely randomized design. The control diet (CON) contained 20, 60, 11, 7, and 2% (DM basis) wheat straw, barley grain, soybean meal, corn grain, and minerals and vitamin mix, respectively. Bakery waste substituted barley grain by 10, 20 and 30% of the diet DM in the LBW, MBW and HBW diets, respectively. The experiment lasted for 56 days. Dry matter intake (DMI) decreased (p<0.05) in LBW diet compared to the CON diet by approximately 10%. No further reduction in DMI was observed with the higher substitution levels. Metabolizable energy intake for the CON diet (3.6 Mcal/d) was also reduced (p<0.05) compared with LBW, MBW and HBW diets (3.4, 3.4 and 3.3 Mcal/d, respectively). Final body weight for lambs fed the CON diet (34.8 kg) was higher (p<0.05) compared with lambs fed the LBW, MBW and HBW diets (30.6, 32.0 and 31.1 kg, respectively). Growth rate for lambs fed the CON diet (232 g/d) was also higher (p<0.05) compared to lambs fed the LBW, MBW and HBW diets (170, 189, and 167 g/d, respectively). Feed to gain ratio was higher (p<0.05) for lambs fed the LBW, MBW and HBW diets (7.2, 6.6 and 7.3, respectively) compared with lambs that consumed the CON diet (5.7). Body weight gain cost was reduced by approximately 8% by the MBW and HBW diets as compared with the CON diet. Dressing percentage, full gut weight, empty gut weight and liver weights were all unaffected by the BW addition to the diets and averaged 48.9%, 6.8 kg, 2.8 kg and 0.444 kg, respectively. However, fat tail weight was increased (p<0.05) with the higher levels of the BW inclusion. In conclusion, substituting BW for barley grain reduced DMI and growth performance. However, when BW substituted barley grain at the 20 and 30% of the diet DM, body weight gain cost was reduced by approximately 8%.