Livestock Studies 2009, Vol 49, Num, 2     (Pages: 105-112)

The Effects of Supplementation of Concentrate Feed to the Hay on Growth Performance and Some Rumen Parameters of Lambs

Dilsat BUKNİ GÜLTEKİN ,İsmail KAYA 2

1 Kafkas Üniversitesi Kars Meslek Yüksekokulu, Kars
2 Kafkas Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Hayvan Besleme ve Beslenme Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Kars
- In this study, the effects of grass hay and supplementation of different amount of concentrate feeding of lambs on the feed consumption, body weight, feed conversion efficiency and pH, TVFA and NH3N concentration values of rumen liquid were investigated. The experimental groups were designed as Control group fed with grass hay, Group 1 supplemented with 150 g concentrated feed and Group 2 supplemented with 300 g concentrate. At the end of the study, the mean daily feed intake of of lambs in Control, Group 1 and Group 2 were 904, 974 ve 1052 g and the body weights were 31.7, 33.0 and 36.6 kg, respectively. The daily increase of the body weights were 118, 144 and 215.3 g at the end of the study. Total feed consumption was decreased as with the supplementation. However, grass hay consumption was decreased. The feed conversion efficiency was decreased with the supplementation. The determined parameters were significantly differed (P<0.05) in the group received grass hay supplemented with 300 g concentrate. The supplementation of concentrate to grass hay decreased the pH value of the rumen liquid numerically, however this decrease was insignificant. The rumen liquid TVFA, NH3N values were increased comparable with the concentrate supplementation. This increase was found to be significant in the group received grass hay supplemented with 300 g concentrate. As a result, feeding of lambs with grass hay supplemented with 150 and 300 g concentrate has the positive effects on the fattening performance and rumen parameters of animals. Especially, feeding with 300 g concentrate increased significantly the daily body weight gain and rumen NH3N levels. Keywords : Lamb, Hay, Concentrate, Supplementation, Fattening performance, Rumen parameters