Effect of Rearing System and Physical form of the Total Mixed Ration on Growth Performance of Local Male Lambs

Abstract

The University of Anbar’s Department of Animal Production hosted this experiment on their sheep farm from October 18, 2022, through January 6, 2023. Twenty-two local male lambs, ranging in age from 3.3 to 3.5 months, and averaging 20.2±2.28 kilograms were included. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the influence of the rearing system and physical form of the total mixed ration on the growth and feeding performance of local male lambs. Lambs were randomly distributed into four treatments. T1 (group housing + loose diet) included 6 Lambs distributed in three group cages (2 Lambs /cage), T2 (group housing + pellet diet) included 6 Lambs distributed in three group cages (2 Lambs /cage), T3 (individual housing + loose diet) included 5 Lambs distributed in five individual cages (1 lamb / cage), and T4 (individual housing + pellet diet) included 5 Lambs distributed in five individual cages. A total of 63 days were devoted to the actual experiment. All lambs were fed ad-libitum to the Pelleted and loose total mixed ration. Throughout the duration of the experiment, the parameters of growth and nutritional performance were estimated. The results of present experiment showed that the individual rearing system significantly improved daily feed intake and dry matter intake compared with grouped rearing system. The pelleted total mixed ration was superior to the loose total mixed ration in growth performance (final body weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain) and feeding performance (feed conversion ratio, feeding efficiency), and decreased the cost of producing 1 kg of weight gain. The results showed that the growth and feeding performance of local male lambs were significantly boosted by the interaction between individual housing and pellet diet. Researchers found that fattening lambs’ productivity might be improved with the use of individual housing combined with a pellet diet.