Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 19 ISSUE 3
Written by Mircea NICOLAE, Catalin DRAGOMIR, Smaranda POP
In our experience, with a duration of 12 weeks, were used 48 lambs, Merino breed, after weaning, the mean weight of 14 kg. The lambs were divided into 4 groups, each fed a proper diet with different ratios between the alfalfa hay and compound feed as follows: group 1 (80/20), group 2 (60/40), group 3 (40/60) and group 4 (20/80). Complete rations compacted were used, size of 2.5*1.5 cm, clear consisting of alfalfa hay (chopped before) and compound feed. The rations, administrated ad libitum, were izo-nitrogenous (179 g CP/kg DM) and different energy values. Total feed intake (alfalfa hay + compound feed) decreased almost linearly with increasing proportion of concentrates in the rations, being in the order of 4 groups: 1242, 1205, 1155 and 928 g DM/day, between the first and the last value being a difference of 34%, the difference being assessed as significant for P<0.01. Average daily gains evolve quadratic, the highest recorded to the intermediate groups, and lowest at extreme groups. Therefore, the average weight gains were the highest recorded on groups G 60/40 and G 40/60, 250, or 267 g/day, and the small on G 80/20 and G 20/80, 222, or 227 g/day (mean difference between intermediate and extreme groups were 15%). The best yields are obtained at slaughter (dressing) of the groups G 60/40 and G 40/60, 57.2% and 57.8%. Share empty digestive tract and digestive content diminishes with increasing participation of alfalfa hay in rations. A significant increase in live weight of subcutaneous fat was observed, of from 3 to 4.1%, as a result of increasing quantities of concentrate consumption
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