Asian Science Citation Index is committed to provide an authoritative, trusted and significant information by the
coverage of the most important and influential journals
to meet the needs of the global scientific community.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate 3 protein levels (14, 16 and 18%) in the diet of fattening Dorper and Pelibuey. For this aim 24 weaned male lambs of 2 breeds (12 Dorper and 12 Pelibuey) averaging 18 kg of body weight and 3 month of age. Animals were individually lodged with water ad libitum in a 70 days trial. Feed intake, body gain and carcass were evaluated and the resulting data were submitted to ANOVA. Daily intake and Average Daily Gain (ADG) were similar among breeds (p>0.05), a slight increased on ADG was observed with high protein in the diet (p>0.05). Carcass yield (kg and %) and back fat was higher in the Doper lambs (p<0.05), but similar between the different protein levels (p>0.05). Chops were unaffected by the breed (p>0.05), however protein levels increased their diameter (p<0.05), no interaction was detected on the parameter. In conclusion, protein level has a minor effect on lamb performance in wool and hair sheep.
