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The Effect of Dietary Energy and Protein Level on Performance, Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics of Taleshi Lambs |
H. Kioumarsi,
K. Jafari Khorshidi,
M. Zahedifar,
A.R. Seidavi,
S.Z. Mirhosseini and M.R. Taherzadeh |
Abstract:
In this study, two levels of Metabolizable Energy (ME)
(2.3 and 2.5 Mcal kg-1 DM) and three levels of Crude Protein
(CP) (12, 14 and 16%) and their interactions were studied to identify
the optimum levels of dietary energy and protein for lambs of the Taleshi
breed. The growth performance variables measured included Average Daily
Gain (ADG), final weight, Daily Dry Matter Intake (DDMI, kg day-1)
and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) whilst other commercially important factors
were assessed during specific periods. The urea dilution method was used
for predicting the body composition of live lambs. At the end of the experiment,
all animals were slaughtered, the carcasses were cut and the chemical
composition of the area around the 9th, 10th and 11th rib was measured.
The study comprised a completely randomized design with a 2x3 factorial
arrangement with four replications per diet. The results showed that the
energy and protein levels had a significant effect (p<0.05) on growth.
The diet with 2.5 Mcal ME kg-1 and 14% CP was associated with
the best final weight, ADG, FCR, feed cost kg-1 gain, un-variable
profit kg-1 live weight, un-variable profit/total gain, carcass
weight, shoulder weight, thigh weight and ribeye area (REA). A high dietary
energy level helps to produce more ME and fermentable products for paunch
microorganisms resulting in an increase in the synthesis of microbial
protein and therefore the amount of protein available to the animal. Increasing
the dietary protein level causes a change in the process of fermentation
in the paunch whilst increasing fatty acid production and the ratio of
propionate to fatty acids. These changes in the paunch improve the lamb`s
energy balance allowing more nitrogen to be stored and increasing the
body weight.
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How to cite this article:
H. Kioumarsi, K. Jafari Khorshidi, M. Zahedifar, A.R. Seidavi, S.Z. Mirhosseini and M.R. Taherzadeh, 2008. The Effect of Dietary Energy and Protein Level on Performance, Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics of Taleshi Lambs. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 307-313.
DOI: 10.3923/ajava.2008.307.313
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajava.2008.307.313
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