Effect of concentrate feeding technology on nutrient digestibility in Latvian Dark-Head lambs
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture, Institute of
Animal Science, Street Liela 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
Abstract:
Research has been conducted to evaluate the effect of concentrate feeding technology on nutrient digestibility in Latvian Dark-Head lambs. Twenty-four purebred Latvian Dark-Head lambs (rams) were divided into three study groups (four lambs in each group). Concentrate was offered with different feeding technologies: group 1 – ad libitum once per day (ADL); group 2 – five times per day (5TD); group 3 – three times per day (3TD). Lamb live weight at the start of research was 24.6 kg (ADL), 24.1 kg (5TD) and 25.6 kg (3TD), the average age – 83 ± 1.4 days (ADL; p < 0.05), 75 ± 1.4 days (5TD) and 75 ± 1.6 days (3TD). Research data were collected over three periods and two repetitions during lamb fattening in July, August and September, 2019. During the data collection period lambs were transferred to cages with slatted wooden floor and a container with a grid under it. The highest concentrate intake in all data collection periods was found in ADL lambs (1.25 ± 0.106 kg – 1.75 ± 0.092 kg on average per lamb). Hay intake was not equal (90–350 g in average per lamb).The highest average faecal production was found in 3TD and 5TD lambs (F – 0.98 ± 0.102 kg (3TD), S – 1.13 ± 0.060 kg (5TD) and T – 0.99 ± 0.070 kg (5TD)).The least urinal production was found in 3TD lambs (0.24 ± 0.038 kg (F), 0.61 ± 0.078 kg (S) and 0.47 ± 0.033 kg (T)). Dry matter digestibility was 66.54–80.39%. Faecal consistency was soft for ADL and 5TD lambs and solid for 3TD lambs.
Key words:
digestibility, dry matter intake, faecal production, lamb fattening, manure