Effect of partial replacement of Soybean meal with optigen on the performance of growing Lambs [electronic resource]

Includes bibliographic reference

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of
partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) as traditional
source of protein with optigen as slow-release urea in
rations of growing lambs on growth performance, ruminal
fermentation, digestibility and economical efficiency. Twenty four
Rahmani lambs with average initial live body weight (LBW) of
25.97±0.07 kg were divided into three similar groups (8 in each).
All lambs were fed rations composed 2% of their LBW concentrate
feed mixture (CFM) plus 1 % of LBW clover hay (CH). Lambs in the
control group were fed the control ration without optigen (R1),
while in the other groups, optigen was supplemented at levels of
0.9 and 1.8% of CFM instead of 15.81 and 31.07% of the protein
content of CFM used for R2 and RJ, respectively. Chemical
composition of tested rations were nearly similar in their contents
of all nutrients. The highest (P<0.05) digestibility of all nutrients
and nutritive values were recorded for R2, while control ration (R1)
showed the lowest values and R3 achieved intermediated values.
No significant differences were observed among tested rations and
sampling times for ruminal pH values, expect R2 recorded
significant difference between sampling time. While TVFA's and
NH3-N concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) differ among the
different rations and sampling times. The DMI was nearly similar
for different groups, while TDN, DCP and DE intake were
significantly higher (P<0.05) in 2nd group compared with control,
whereas 3rd group recorded intermediate values. Final body weight,
total and daily weight gain were significantly higher (P<0.05) with
R2 compared to R1 and R3. However, feed conversion ratio did not
significantly difference for the different rations. Rations contained
different levels of optigen achieved significantly (P<0.05) higher
economic efficiency than control ration. It could be concluded that
the inclusion of optigen at level of 0.9% in CFM in the diet of
growing lambs were more economical efficiency and can be used
to replace a part of soybean meal without any adverse effect on
their performance.

Summary in Arabic