Production Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Malpura and Mutton Synthetic Lambs Fed Low and High Energy Rations in a Semiarid Region of India

Abstract

Forty eight lambs (24 each of Malpura and Mutton synthetic breeds) were weaned at 90 days of age and divided into two groups. One group of 12 lambs from each of the two breeds was maintained on low energy (52% TDN) and the other group of 12 on high energy (58% TDN) feedlot ration until 6 of the lambs attained 20 kg and the other 6 attained 25 kg live weight in each of the two groups. Daily feed intake and weekly body weights were recorded. Conventional metabolism trials were conducted on the two breeds and the two rations. The growth rate was found to be higher for lambs on high energy ration (p<0.01). The growth rate was also higher for higher target weight groups (p<0.01). The breed did not significantly affect the live weight gains. Mutton synthetic lambs required less number of days to reach 20 kg live weights but took more time to reach 25 kg target weight as compared to Malpura lambs (p<0.01). The lambs of both the breeds reached 25 kg live weight earlier on high energy than those on low energy ration (p<0.01). The dry matter intake, irrespective of breed, was significantly higher (4.57% or 93.4 g per kgW 0.75 ) on low energy than that on high energy ration (4.20% or 87.2 g per kg W 0.75 ). The digestibility coefficients of all the nutrients excepting crude fibre were significantly higher on high energy diet irrespective of the breed. Lambs on low energy ration, however, digested the crude fibre more than those on the high energy ration (p<0.05). Although there were no significant differences in the intakes of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus, the balance of nitrogen was higher on high energy ration. The DCP and TDN values were 9.70 and 52.76% for low energy and 9.89 and 57.68 % for high energy ration, respectively. The dressing percentages on live weight basis were 50.2 on low and 51.6 on high energy ration, 50.5 at 20kg and 51.3 at 25 kg slaughter weight and 51.0 in Malpura and 50.8 in Mutton synthetic lambs, respectively. The percent of bones in the carcass was higher on low energy ration in Mutton synthetic lambs at 20 kg slaughter weight than others. It was concluded that the performance of the lambs in respect of mutton production was significantly better on high energy ration fed upto 25 kg slaughter weight with no or little breed differences.

Carcass and meat quality characteristics of two hair type breed lambs fed tef (Eragrostistef) straw ensiled with effective micro-organisms and supplemented with concentrates

“…Contrary to this study, Singh et al (2003) found similar percentage of TNEO among lambs fed different rations. Majdoub-Mathlouthi et al (2013) also reported a contradicting result of percentage of testis affected by diet.…”

“…In agreement with the present study, Singh et al (2003) reported breed effect on percentage of TEO. Further, Macit et al (2002) reported no effect of breed on percentage of head, liver and heart which confirmed the result of the present study.…”

“…In contrast to the present study, the same authors found that genotype affected percentage of spleen and skin. However, Singh et al (2003) reported no effect of breed on percentage of TNEO confirming the results of the present study. Hair and wool type sheep comparison revealed effect on skin and no effect on feet percentage (Hernández-Cruz et al, 2009), which is in disagreement with the present study.…”

“…The same authors also reported a contradictory result to the present study that they found effect of diet on proportion of liver and kidney. However, similar to this study, none diet effect on percentage of TEO was reported (Singh et al, 2003). The reason for the variation seen could be due to the difference in the experimental diet and the genotype of the experimental lambs.…”

Carcass traits and value of meat and byproducts of sheep

“…Low genetic potential, poor nutritional status (maintained on scrub vegetation under extensive system without concentrate supplement) and early age slaughter (between 6 months to one year of age) are the main reasons for the low productivity of Indian sheep compared to those in more agriculturally developed countries. For scanty suitable grazing lands in most of the states, the shepherds keep on migrating their flocks over extensive areas within or even in the neighboring states (Singh et al 2003, Karim 2008, Das et al 2008, Girish et al 2012.…”