Abstract:
11is experiment was carried out to evaluate feed intake, digestibility and growth
performance of Washera lambs fed natural pasture hay supplemented with sole wheat bror
lirB) and graded levels of sweet lupin seed (SLS). Twenty male intact Washera lambs
(approximately 4 months of age) with initial body weight of 16.9 ±0.32 kg (mean ± SD)
were used in 90 days feeding trial followed by 10 days digestibility trial. The lambs were
de-wormed and vaccinated against ecto and endo parasites. They were acclimatized for J 5
days to the experimental diets and individual pens. The design of the experiment was
randotnized complete block design (RCBD) and the lambs were blocked on the basis of
their initial body weights into five blocks of four animals each. Water and mineral block
(salt) were offered as free choice throughout the experimental period. The supplemental
feeds were offered twice daily in two equal portions at approximately 9:00 am and 04:00
pm. The four treatments were: hay + 150 g WB (control -TJ), hay + 150 g WB + 195 g
SLS (T2), hay + 150 g WB + 245 g SLS (T3), and hay + 150 g WB + 295 g SLS (T4).
Natural pasture hay was provided as a basal diet and offered ad libitum. Daily feed offered
and refused were weighted and recorded. Live weight gain of each lamb was recorded in
one week interval, before feeding. Digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the
growth trial. Lambs were acclimatized to faecal collection bags for 3 days followed by 7
days of total faecal collection. Data were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS version
9.2. (2002). Result showed that the control group consumed numerically higher but
insignificant (P>0.05) hay DM (426.9 ±23.5 g/day, mean ±SE) as compared to sheep on
SLS supplemented treatments (411.9-42-1.6 g/day). Supplementation of SLS increased
(P<0.01) total DM, CP, and OM and NDF intakes. Significantly higher (P<0.05) ADF and
ADL intakes were also observed in the SLS supplemented sheep. However,
supplementation of SLS did not improve (P>0.05) total DMi as percentage of BW. From
the supplemented groups T4 had significantly higher (P<0.05) TDMi, CPI and OMI than
T2. Supplementation of SLS significantly improved the digestibility of DM and OM
(P<0.05), and CP (P<O.OOI). However, the digest~~~fli : and ADF were not
, )0. ,~t :,.~ .
affected by SLS supplementation. Average daily . /!It.. t-..f -, ~cllnt higher (P<O.OOl)
f . \) "'IIi:' • c::. ',
-i' •••••
for the SLS supplemented groups (61.8- >It. ~,control group.
S I . .r SLS h d ';!'; I' ..:.~";'('io } 1 W ~). jji'
upptementatton OJ a stgntjicanuy tmpro . ~ '1~•.•... _ ..":-~,'· fjfl rJ9:P! rston e tctency.
From the SLS supplemented groups T3 and T4 hen '':f.../*ni/{,/g'jr.rr':~1ii!er<0.05) ADG and
~. "\ _,\ ,I •. "u. "t;.~~ ..
FeE. In general, supplementation ofSLS impr()vedfeeij:JJijifi::"~_' 'stibility and BW gain.
Therefore, it can be concluded that sweet lupin seed could serve as alternative er
supplement in natural pasture hay-based feeding of Washera sheep.