TITLE:
Effect of Feeding Regimes on Measurements of Carcass Dimensional and Proximate Composition of Blackhead Ogaden Sheep
AUTHORS:
Fasil Negussie, Mengistu Urge, Yosef Mekasha, Getachew Animut
KEYWORDS:
Feeding Regimes, Compositions, Linear Measurements, Carcass, Sheep
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.6,
June
29,
2015
ABSTRACT: A study was conducted with the objective to assess the effects of feeding
regimes on carcass measurements and proximate composition of finishing
Blackhead Ogaden (BHO) sheep. Twenty-four lambs with mean initial body weight
of 17.3 ± 0.52 kg were blocked into 6 groups of four lambs based on weight.
Lambs in each block were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments.
During the growth phase, natural grass hay was offered ad libitum and a mixture of Acacia
albida and Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) (at the ratio of
2:1, respectively) was supplemented at the rate of 0.9% (0.9ACM (acacia-cactus
mixture), 1.2% (1.2ACM) and 1.5% (1.5ACM) of lambs body weight. Lambs in
control treatment (0ACM) did not receive the supplement. During the finishing
phase, roughage composed of natural grass hay and haricot bean hauls at 50:50
ratio and concentrate supplement composed of 69% wheat bran and 31% oil seed
meals (noug and cottonseed cakes at the ratio of 1.1:1) were fed at roughage
(R) to concentrate (C) ratios of 60R:40C, 50R:50C, 40R:60C, and 30R:70C. The
percentages of roughage and concentrate were determined based on ad libitum consumption of individual
animal on dry matter (DM) basis. After the completion of stall feeding, all
animals were slaughtered for carcass compositions and linear measurements
evaluation. Except the anterior buttock circumference (ABC) and chest depth,
all carcass measurements did not vary (p > 0.05) due to feeding regimes.
Lambs fed 1.5ACM/30R:70C had (p