Feeding Strategy For Fattening Sheep From a Prolific Line

Abstract

An experiment has been conducted to evaluate the feeding strategy for fattening prolific sheep. Four types of ration (R1, R2, R3 and R4) were tested. Twenty lambs, after weaned, males were used. The objectives were to find out the efficient ration which could support the growth rate of more than 100 g/d. The rations were formulated from such feedstuffs as com, soybean meal, coconut meal, wheat pollard, rice bran, dried grass, cassava leaves, salt and minerals. The control ration (R1) was a mixture between commercial concentrate (GT-03) and napier grass. The rations were offered at 3.5 to 4.5% of the body weight and adjusted every week.
Weight changcs, feed intake, feed conversion and carcass characteristics were recorded. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that the weight gain was significantly different among treatments (P<0.()5). Feed
conversions were R1= 0.112; R2= 0.117; R3= 0.123 and R4= 0.lll. Carcass percentage were higher in Rl and R2 (49.4 and 49.6%) as compared to R3 and R4 (42.6 and 46.4%). The protein and fat contents of the meat were similar among treatments. It was concluded that R2 and R3 may be recommended for further used rather than R1 and R4.