Effects of legume seeds and processing treatment on growth, carcass traits and blood constituents of fattening lambs

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of faba bean, white lupin and pea seed when fed as protein supplements on growth performance, carcass characteristics and haematological characteristics of growing lambs. Forty-eight Gentile di Puglia male lambs, weaned at 38 ± 2 days old with an average initial bodyweight of 12.8 ± 0.5 kg, were divided into six homogenous groups. The six dietary treatments were RFB (diet containing raw faba bean seeds); EFB (diet containing extruded faba bean seeds); RL (diet containing raw lupin seeds); EL (diet containing extruded lupin seeds); RP (diet containing raw pea seeds); and EP (diet containing extruded pea seeds). Feeding lupin seeds reduced average daily feed intake compared with the other protein sources. Carcass conformation, loin weight as a percentage of half-carcass weight, and fat weight as a percentage of loin weight improved in the lambs that consumed both EP and RP diets. Extrusion reduced hide weight as a percentage of empty bodyweight and fat weight as a percentage of leg weight. The protein source had a significant effect on glucose and total cholesterol concentrations, albumin, α 1-globulin, β-globulin, and γ-globulin percentages and albumin-globulin ratios. The processing treatment decreased total cholesterol concentrations. Thus, feeding the various legumes did not affect growth performance, but only carcass characteristics; changes which may be due to the differences in feed intake. Extrusion also had minor effects, and further work is required to investigate the use of these protein sources, both raw and extruded.

Carcass Composition, Meat Quality and Sensory Quality of Gentile di Puglia Light Lambs: Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Oregano and Linseed

“…No significant differences were found for in vivo performances of lambs (Table 4), diets did not influence lambs' body weight after 20 and 40 days of trial, but their weight is similar to the weight recorded by Colonna et al [9]. The ADGs did not show statistical significance; moreover, supplementation of lamb diet with oregano did not show the effect on growth and feed intake; our results are similar to Lestingi et al [38], even though they used other experimental diets with Gentile di Puglia lambs.…”

The Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Black Baladi Kids Fed Diets with Graded Quantities of Sweet Lupin Grain (Lupinus angustifolius)

“…Otmani et al [22] found no effect of adding lupin to fattening kids' diets on their growth performance or ADG. More researchers reported that lupin addition to diets had no influence on growth performance or gain [23][24][25]. In line with this current study findings, McGregor [26] observed an increase in cashmere buck kids' live weight when ad libitum feeding of lupin grains during the winter season was offered.…”

Introducing Mediterranean Lupins in Lambs’ Diets: Effects on Growth and Digestibility

“…Fychan et al [ 30 ] observed no differences ( p > 0.05) in ADG of Suffolk castrated lambs fed 23% narrow-leafed lupin ( Lupinus angustifolius ) and 16% yellow lupin ( Lupinus luteus ), which is consistent with our results in both trials. However, other studies have reported the effects of higher inclusion of lupin seeds on ADG [ 11 , 12 , 31 ]. Lower than desirable amounts of methionine in lupins paired with the fact that low proportions of these amino acids bypass rumen degradation to reach the small intestine could affect ruminant’s performance [ 4 , 13 ], especially at high levels of feeding, which might explain lower values of ADG if diets only adjusted to be isonitrogenous and not for amino acid profile.…”

“…Since lupins present higher fiber levels than soybean meal, lambs from LL20 may have compensated for this with reduced hay intake. In a study by Lestingi et al [ 31 ] with Gentile di Puglia male lambs, the inclusion of 250 g/kg of Lupinus albus cv. Multitalia significantly reduced ( p < 0.01) the average daily feed intake when compared to another faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) and peas ( Pisum sativum L.) (690 vs. 740 and 770 g/day).…”