Indirect evaluation of digestive tract function on male lambs and ram based on feed digestibility and eating behavior

Abstract

This studywasaimed to examine the development and function ofdigestive organsof lamb in digesting feed based on feed digestibility valueandeating behaviour. The materials used were 11 lambs aged 3-4 months, body weight(BW)14.78 ± 1.99 kg (CV 3.98%), and 11 ramsaged 10-12 months, BW 22.18 ± 1.81 kg (CV 3.29%). The study used a completelyrandomized design of 2x2 in nestedpatterns. There were two ages compared (lambs vs ram) and every age was nested the diet i.e.100%Napiergrass (G100) vs mixed pellet 50% grass and 50% concentrate(G50C50). The diet was given at 3.5% of BW. Parameters observed were dry matter intake(DMI)and digestibility, eating and ruminating time. The results showed that were no significant differences between lambs and rams in DMI (averaged 3.33% BW),digestibility (averaged 49.00%), eating (192.56 min/d), and ruminating (364 min/d). Animalsgiven diet G50C50 had higher (P<0.05) DMI (666 vs 565 g/d), digestibility (50.49%vs 47.53%), and less (P<0.05) eating (47 vs 338 min/d) and ruminating (305 vs 423 min/d), as compared withthose fed diet G100.It is concludedthat the digestive tracts of lambs had developed and function to the stage similar to ram.

Early fattening and improving feeding quality of Kejobong goats could reduce methane production and improve meat production

“…This result was attributed to the fact that DMI of the young goat was lower than that of the mature goat, while DM digestibility of the both ages of goat was similar. The result of this study was in agreement with the finding of Prima et al (2018) that different DMI accompanied by similar DM digestibility resulted in different DDMI.…”

“…The similarity of DM digestibility in both ages of goats (Table 2) indicated that the digestive tract of the young had well developed, so that the young was able to digest the feed as well as the mature goat did. The result of this study was in agreement with the finding of Prima et al (2018) that digesting ability of the lamb aged 4 months was similar to that of the ram aged 12 months. Dry matter digestibility of diet G3C7 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of diet G7C3 (Table 2), both in the young and the mature goats.…”

Effect of Urea in Total Mixed Ration and its Silage on Friesian Holstein Bull Calves Productivity in Tropic Condition

“…Intake of OM showed the same response to the diets as of DM. The intake of OM is strongly influenced by DM intake (Prima et al, 2018).…”