Growth performance of barki lambs fed rations with different levels of untreated or biologically treated wheat straw [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The objective of this study was to investigate effect of using biologically treated wheat straw (TWS) with different levels of concentrate: roughage (C: R) ratio and their interactions on Barki lambs performance. Sixteen Barki lambs with mean weight 27.5 kg± 1.7 were divided into four groups (4 animals each). Each group was assigned randomly to receive one of the following experimental rations for 105 days, RI contained 75:25 C: R ratio with untreated wheat straw (UWS), R2 contained 75:25 C: R ratio with treated wheat straw (TWS), R3 contained 60:40 C:R ratio with UWS and R4 contained 60:40 C:R ratio with TWS. Digestibility trial was performed during the last month of feeding. The TWS showed higher (P<0.01) CP and ash content and lower (p<0.0.1) OM, CF, NFE, NDF, ADF, ADL, cellulose and hemicillulose contents compared to UWS. The rations containing TWS showed higher (P<O.05) nutrient digestibilities compared to the rations containing UWS. while insignificant differences were observed in TDN and DCP contents. Also the rations containing 75:25 C:R ratio recorded higher values (P<0.05) for DM, OM, CF, NFE, cellulose, NDF and ADF digestibility compared to the rations containing 60:40 C:R ratio. Neither biological treatment. C: R ratio nor their interaction had significant effect on rumen pH. The groups received rations containing TWS had higher rumen ammonia concentration at zero and 6 hrs after feeding compared to the groups received rations containing UWS, the same trends were observed for groups received rations containing 60:40 C:R ratio compared to the groups received rations containing 75:25 C:R ratio at zero,3 and 6 hrs after feeding. The groups received rations containing TWS had higher rumen total volatile fatty acids (TVFA's) concentration at zero, 3 and 6 hrs after feeding compared to the groups received rations containing UWS. The same trends were observed for groups received rations containing 75:25 C:R ratio compared to the groups received rations containing 60:40 C:R ratio at zero,) and 6 hrs after feeding. Insignificant differences (P> 0.05) were observed in blood serum globulin, urea, creatinin concentrations and A:G ratio as well as ALT and AST activity due to either effects of biological treatment or C: R ratio. Also Insignificant differences (P>0.05) were observed in initial live body weight, final live body weight, average daily gain, total gain between the groups received rations containing TWS and UWS and between groups received rations containing 75: 25 and 60: 40 C: R ratio as well as among the different experimental groups.

Summary in Arabic.

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