Effects of Sunflower Hulls on Productive Performance, Digestibility Indices and Rumen Morphology of Growing Awassi Lambs Fed with Total Mixed Rations

Abstract

Forty-eight growing Awassi lambs were used in a 70-day trial to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary sunflower hulls (SFH) on growth, rumen morphology, fiber digestibility and meat characteristics of lambs. Animals were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 3 replicates of 4 lambs each. The diet was composed of total mixed ration (TMR) without SFH (control group), and the TMR diet supplemented with SFH at a level of 5% (SFH5), 10% (SFH10) and 15% (SFH15). Lambs in the treatment groups had greater BW changes (p = 0.04) and ADG (p = 0.04) than the lambs in the control group. Intake of dry matter, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in SFH15 compared to SFH10. Digestibility of ADL and empty stomach weight were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in SFH10 and SFH15, respectively. Cooking loss, blood total cholesterol and total protein decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in SFH15. Ruminal lightness (L) and yellowness (b) also increased significantly (p < 0.05) in SFH15. We concluded that the TMR diet supplemented with up to 15% SFH improved weight gain, digestibility, meat cooking loss and rumen color in Awassi lambs.

Effects of Feeding Different Levels of Sprouted Barley on Fermentation Characteristics, Bacterial Quantification, and Rumen Morphology of Growing Lambs

“…Sections were then cut onto slides using a microtome system (Leica Biosystems, RM 2255, Wetzlar, Germany) and stained with eosin and hematoxylin (Leica, CV5030, Wetzlar, Germany) according to the method described by Alhidary et al [ 23 ]. All histomorphometric, such as papilla height, papilla width, stratum corneum (SC), the width of the epithelium (WE), lamina propria (LP), and submucosa (SM), were measured in five photomicrographs per animal (45 per treatment) using a light microscope (Nikon, Corp., Japan) together with camera software for image analysis (AmScope digital camera-attached Ceti England microscope, Irvine, CA, USA) according to Alharthi et al [ 26 ]. Papilla density (number/cm 2 ) was estimated using a video camera.…”

Perspective, Opportunities and Challenges in Using Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) in Poultry Health and Production as an Eco-Friendly Alternative to Antibiotics: A Review

“…Phytogenics have been described as growth-promoting and alternative to antibiotics in animal production [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ] Phytogenics feed additives are natural medicinal items produced from herbs and spices that are used in livestock nutrition to improve performance and health [ 39 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ] The use of phytogenic feed additives or herbal plants as antibiotic alternatives has lately gained a lot of attention. Because these phytogenic plants are natural products, people may be prepared to accept their use in poultry diets.…”