Effect of Hydroponic Barley Fodder on Awassi Lambs Performance

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of feeding hydroponic barley (HB) on the performance of Awassi ram lambs. A total of 50 weaned lambs were used in a feeding trial by dividing it into two groups. The first was fed a total mixed ration diet (control) while lambs in the second group were fed similar ration except that barley grain was totally replaced by HB for 90 days feeding trial. Lambs were fed ad libitum twice per day and had a free access to fresh water. Feed offered and refusals were collected, body weight gain was measured weekly, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. Results of the experiment showed that HB had a positive effect (p<0.05) on feed intake, final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, and FCR on lambs fed the HB diet when compared to lambs fed the control diet. In conclusion, HB can be used as feed for lambs in the fattening period to enhance their growth performance. Keywords: Awassi ram lambs, Hydroponic barley, Growth performance

The Impact of Partial and Total Replacement of Soybean with Peanut Meal on Broilers Performance

An experiment was performed to show the Impact of replacing soybean meal with peanut meal on broiler growth performance. Three hundred lohman broiler males were obtained and reared for 42 days in an environmentally controlled poultry house. Birds were divided into three groups, each group assigned to 20 experimental units and allocated to 5 identical pens (20 birds / 1m2). Birds were offered ad libitum feed and water throughout the experimental period. Three different experimental diets were formulated as follows: T0; 0% peanut meal, T50; 50% soybean meal, and 50% peanut meal, and T100; 100% peanut meal. Birds body weight was measured every two weeks at the same time.  Feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio was calculated at the end of the experiment. The body weight was greater (p < 0.05) for birds that received peanut meal at 100% level (T100) more than birds consumed T0 and T50 diets at 14-28 days and at days 28-42. At day 28 - 42, feed intake was greater (p < 0.05) for broilers that had T100 diet than broilers which consumed T0 and T50. Average daily gain (ADG) and FCR was not affected (p > 0.05) by the different experimental diets. Therefore, feeding peanut meal had a positive effect on broiler growth performance and might be considered as an excellent protein source in broiler rations. Keywords: broiler, growth performance, peanut meal, soybean mea

Relationship between Birth Weight and Body Growth of Awassi Lambs during Early Weaning

A study was conducted to find the relationship between body weight of male and female Awassi lambs at birth with their body development at early weaning period. Sixty lambs were used and divided into two groups (I, II). Each group was consisted of 30 lambs and divided into two subgroups (15 male and 15 female).  Groups formed according to body weight at birth as follows: Group I, lambs with less than 3kg of weight; and Group II, lambs with more or equal than 3 kg of weight. Lambs were kept with their mothers and suckling ad libitum throughout the experimental period and were weighed at birth day (1 day old), at 30 days, and at 60 days. Differences between groups of lambs at 60 days of age were significant (p<0.05). Correlations ranged from low to moderate among the respective traits and ranged between positive from 0.505 to 0.762 and negative from -0.181 to -0.513. Highest correlation in this study found between age (1-60) in male lambs (0.762) and in female lambs (0.659) of group II. The correlation coefficient effect at 60 days of age was higher in males than females lambs (p<0.05) where the correlation coefficient was 66% for male and 50% for female lambs. Therefore, lambs with heavier birth weights, showed the best production results in the development of body weight during the period of 60 days of early weaning process, which indicated that selection of lambs with greater birth weight may contribute to increasing Awassi lamb body development and growth. Keywords: Awassi sheep, Body growth, Correlation, Early weaning

The effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on intake, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fluid pH in Awassi female lambs

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding low (LO)- or high (HI)-fiber diets supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on nutrient intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, rumen fluid pH, and serum concentrations of glucose and urea nitrogen in Awassi female lambs in a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Materials and Methods: Experimental diets were as follows: (1) LO-fiber diet with no SC supplementation (-LO), (2) LO-fiber diet supplemented with SC (+LO), (3) HI-fiber diet with no SC supplementation (-HI), or (4) HI-fiber diet supplemented with SC (+HI). Eight female lambs were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design with 15-day experimental periods (10-day adaptation period and 5-day collection period). Results: A fiber×SC interaction (p≤0.05) was detected for dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake among diets showing greater DM and CP intake for +LO diet compared to +HI group supplemented with SC, whereas -LO and -HI were intermediate. A fiber×SC interaction (p=0.05) was also detected for the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake among diets. Intake of NDF was greater for the -HI diet compared with +LO and -LO diets. Similarly, NDF intake was greater for +HI diet than -LO diet. A tendency (p=0.07) for a fiber×SC interaction was detected for acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake among diets as well. ADF intake tended to be greater for HI-fiber diets. No difference was observed in the rumen fluid pH for lambs fed with the different diets. No fiber×SC interactions were detected for the digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, and ADF among dietary treatments. Digestibility of DM was greater (72.9 g/100 g vs. 67.1 g/100 g; p=0.0002) for LO versus HI fiber. However, NDF and ADF digestibilities were greater (60.8 and 61.9 g/100 g vs. 55.8 and 52.7 g/100 g for NDF and ADF digestibility, respectively; p≤0.01) for the HI-fiber than the LO-fiber diets. Conclusion: Results obtained in the current study indicate that SC supplementation has a minimal effect on the performance of Awassi female lambs fed with varying fiber levels

Protein Supplementation Improves Performance of Lambs Fed Low-Quality Forage

The objective was to investigate the effect of supplementing Awassi lambs fed low-quality forage with soybean meal. Twenty-one lambs (initial body weight (BW) of 26.1 ± 2.57 kg) were randomly assigned to the study diets, 1) the basal diet (forage mix; CON; n = 7); 2) the basal diet supplemented with either 125 (SBM125; n = 7); or 3) with 250 (SBM250; n = 7) SBM g/head/day. The forage mix was composed of 65% wheat straw and 35% alfalfa hay. The experimental diet was offered to the animals for 54 days. On day 40, four animals from each group were chosen to assess N balance and nutrient digestibility. The intake of crude protein (CP) and dry matter (DM) was the highest (p < 0.016) in the SBM250 group, followed by the SBM125 group and the CON diet. Digestibility of DM and CP was higher (p <0.05) for the SBM-containing diets than the CON diet. Final BW and average daily gain were greater (p < 0.008) for lambs that consumed SBM-containing diets than for those that consumed the CON diet. In summary, the growth performance, forage utilization, and nutrient digestibility improved for lambs fed low-quality forage when supplemented with soybean meal

Influence of corn stover on the growth and blood parameters of Awassi lambs fed a concentrate diet

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of substituting wheat straw with corn stover (CS) on the growth performance and blood parameters of lambs fed on a concentrate diet. Male lambs were split into two groups, with 16 lambs in each. Following a 7-days adaptation period, one group received a diet containing 0 g/kg CS (CS0) and the other group received 100 g/kg CS (CS100) for 56 days. The following growth-related parameters were evaluated: feed intake, digestibility, N balance, total weight gain, average daily gain and blood parameters. The production cost was also assessed. Dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) intake increased (p ≤ .05) for lambs fed the CS100 diet. Lambs introduced to the CS100 diet were better able to digest (p ≤ .05) DM, CP, neutral detergent fibre, and acid detergent fibre. N intake and retention improved, while N lost in faeces tended to increase (p ≤ .08) in lambs fed the CS100 diet. Average daily weight gain was greater (p = .03), and cost of gain was lower (p = .001) for lambs fed the CS100 diet. Blood glucose increased while creatinine was reduced (p < .05) for lambs fed the CS100 diet. These results indicate that feeding lambs the CS100 diet is efficient and would increase profitability. In conclusion, feeding corn stover had a positive impact on growth rate, reduced production costs, and had no negative effect on health. Therefore, we recommend that lambs should be fed diets that include CS100

Replacing Soybean Meal with Sesame Meal in the Diets of Lactating Awassi Ewes Suckling Single Lambs: Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production, and Lamb Growth

Two experiments were conducted to assess the influence of sesame meal (SM) feeding on nutrient digestibility, N balance, milk production and composition, ewes’ body weight change, and growth performance of lambs. In experiment 1, 18 ewe lambs were randomly distributed into three diets to evaluate the effects of soybean meal replacement with SM on nutrient intake, digestibility, and N balance. Treatments were no SM (SM0), 7.5% SM (SM7.5), or 15% SM (SM15) of the dietary dry matter (DM). Aside from intake and digestibility of ether extract (EE), which was greater in the SM-containing diets compared with SM0, intake and digestibility of the remaining nutrients was similar among dietary treatments. In experiment 2, 30 ewes suckling single lambs were randomly assigned to the same diets used in experiment 1. Intakes of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were unaffected by treatment. Milk yield was greater in SM diets than in the SM0 diet. Cost/kg of milk production decreased while feed efficiency improved in the SM-diets compared to the SM0 diet. In conclusion, results of the current studies demonstrate the possibility of replacing soybean meal with sesame meal in diets of lactating Awassi ewes

Replacing Soybean Meal with Sesame Meal in the Diets of Lactating Awassi Ewes Suckling Single Lambs: Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production, and Lamb Growth

Two experiments were conducted to assess the influence of sesame meal (SM) feeding on nutrient digestibility, N balance, milk production and composition, ewes&#8217; body weight change, and growth performance of lambs. In experiment 1, 18 ewe lambs were randomly distributed into three diets to evaluate the effects of soybean meal replacement with SM on nutrient intake, digestibility, and N balance. Treatments were no SM (SM0), 7.5% SM (SM7.5), or 15% SM (SM15) of the dietary dry matter (DM). Aside from intake and digestibility of ether extract (EE), which was greater in the SM-containing diets compared with SM0, intake and digestibility of the remaining nutrients was similar among dietary treatments. In experiment 2, 30 ewes suckling single lambs were randomly assigned to the same diets used in experiment 1. Intakes of DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were unaffected by treatment. Milk yield was greater in SM diets than in the SM0 diet. Cost/kg of milk production decreased while feed efficiency improved in the SM-diets compared to the SM0 diet. In conclusion, results of the current studies demonstrate the possibility of replacing soybean meal with sesame meal in diets of lactating Awassi ewes