Effect of using different levels of Azolla in lamb rations on growth performance and meat quality
Abstract: The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of partial substitution of hay by Azolla in growing lamb rations on performance and meat quality. This trial involved 18 male Ossimi lambs averaged 18.0 kg live body weight and aged 2-2.5 months. Anima1s were divided randomly into three similar groups, (6 lambs in each group). The feeding trial was extending for 150 days, all lambs were given 70% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) as a concentrate and 30% covered with berseern hay in control group (R1), wlrile the second group tokes 15% berseem hay and 15% dried Azolla (R2) and the third group received 30% dried Azolla (R3). Three digestibility trials were conducted at the same time to evaluate the tested rations.
Results showed that the nutritive value was higher in the rations . containing Azolla than the control, without significant difference between them. The lambs received 30% Azolla (R3) recorded higher e daily gain (209 gm/day) than lambs received 15% Azolla (200 gm/day) and control lambs (189gmlday). Lambs fed R3 showed markedly better-feed conversion than those of R2 and R1. Also, lambs received R3 recorded high fasting and carcass weight, but no differences among the experimental groups were found in all carcass cuts. Dressing percentage recorded higher significant difference in lambs fed ration of R3 than R2 and R1, also lambs received R2 and R3 recorded better prime cuts percentage than lambs takes R1 (control). In samples (rib cut 9,10 ,11) the boneless meal percentage was higher values (p<0.0l) in lambs fed R3 (30% Azolla) than those received R2 and RI. The values of meat : fat ratios were 1.5,2.1 and 2.0 for R1 R2 and R3, respectively.
It is suggested that introducing Azolla in complete mixture ration Ossimi lambs can improve the daily gain and feed efficiency, also improved carcass characteristics.
Publication year 2004
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egyptian Journal of Applied Science
ISSN 1110-1571
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    هشام منير صالح هيئة الطاقة الذرية
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Azolla. Carcass composition. Feed conversion efficiency. Lambs. Meat. Quality.
Proposed Agrovoc growth performance;
Publication Type Journal
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