EFFECT OF DIETS WITH DIFFERENT FORAGE TO
CONCENTRATE RATIO FOR FATTENING OF LOHI LAMBS
M. A. JABBAR and M. I. ANJUM
Department of Food & Nutrition, University
of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore; Animal
Nutrition program, Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research
Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan
Abstract
The objective of this
study was to determine the effect of different forage to concentrate ratios for
fattening of Lohi lambs. For this purpose, 75 lambs were randomly divided into 3
groups A, B and C with 25 lambs in each group. Berseem fodder was supplemented
with concentrate at different ratios (forage to concentrate) as 75:25, 50:50 and
25:75 and fed to groups A, B and C, respectively for a period of 66 days. The
feed intake of lambs of group C (1938 ± 135 gm) was the highest, followed by
group A (1723 ± 156g) and group B (1628 ± 152g).Daily body weight
gain averaged 105 ± 12, 144 ± 09 and 168 ± 14g and feed conversion ratio
averaged 16.41, 11.30 and 11.53, for groups A, B and C, respectively.
Statistical differences in feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion
ratio among lambs of three groups were significant (p<0.05). Dressing percentage
averaged 46.80 ± 1.5, 46.93 ± 1.4 and 48.88 ± 1.5 for the respective diets.
Dressing percentage was higher (p<0.05) in group C compared to groups A and B,
however, no difference was observed between latter two groups. Similarly, no
differences were found in percent of crude protein, fats and total ash in all
three groups. Feed cost for one kg body weight gain averaged Rs.74, 61 and 55
for groups A, B and C respectively. Results indicated that forage to concentrate
ratio of 25:75 is most appropriate for economical mutton production form Lohi
lambs.