Authors : Ramazan Demirel, Polat Ipek, Ali Murat Tatar and Dilek Senturk Demirel
Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of wheat and red lentil (Lens esculenta) straw on the growth performance, feed intake and its efficiency, serum minerals and economic efficiency in Awassi lambs. The project was carried out in the birth season of 2010 in the experimental unit of sanliurfa GAP Agricultural Research Institute with 30 male fat-tailed Awassi breed lambs in 3 groups after weaning period (approximately 3 months of age). Animals were grouped based on their initial live weights. Lambs, straws, concentrate lamb feed and remaining of both feeds were weighed for 14 days intervals. At the beginning, middle and end of the trial, blood samples were collected. Thirty Awassi lambs were randomly assigned to three experimental groups with three diets as follows; D1: Wheat Straw (WS-ad libitum) + Lamb Mixed Feed (LMF-ad libitum); D2: Red Lentil Straw (RLS-ad libitum) + Lamb Mixed Feed (LMF-ad libitum); D3: 50% wheat straw +50% red lentil straw (WRWS-ad libitum) + Lamb Mixed Feed (LMF-ad libitum). The result of the study indicated that the live weight, live weight gain and serum minerals of lambs were not different among the feeding groups. In conclusion red lentil straw or red lentil + wheat straw mixtures as ad libitum are used much successfully than that of wheat straw for economic lamb production of Awassi breed.
Ramazan Demirel, Polat Ipek, Ali Murat Tatar and Dilek Senturk Demirel, 2012. The Effects of Dietary Wheat Straw, Red Lentil Straw and Equal Mixtures of Straws as ad libitum on Intensive Fattening Performance, Some Serum Minerals and Economic Efficiency in Awassi Lambs. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 1890-1896.