Comparison and Evaluation of Awassi Lamps Fattening Systems in Palestine

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Date
2001
Authors
Wajdi Hussein Ali Hammad
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This research was conducted to investigate the differences between the two fattening systems operating in Palestine. Both systems are based on specific locations in the country with variable outcomes. A total of sixteen Awassi lambs were used in the experiment. Lambs were divided into two groups of eight lambs each. Lambs in the first group were fed a concentrate ration similar to those fed in commercial fattening operations. Lambs in the second group were fed a barley-based diet (70% barley plus 30% legume roughage). Lambs were fed their rations for 68 days where feed intake and refused were recorded. Lambs were weighed on weekly basis. At day 42 (if beginning of the feeding trial a digestion trial was made on two l animals of each group. An eight days total collection of feed, feces and urine was performed. At the time of terminating the trial, two lambs from each group were slaughtered and eviscerated. Weights of carcass, visceral organs, gastrointestinal tract components and contents were recorded. Also, carcasses were dissected for lean, fat and bone tissues and all weights were recorded. The performance of lambs fed the commercial fattening rations was much better (p<0.05) than lambs fed the barley based rations. This was observed from the performance parameters such as the total gain, average daily gain (278 vs., I44 g) and the efficiency of feed conversion. Lambs fed the commercial fattening rations had average feed efficiency of 5.5 kg while that of lambs fed the barley- based rations was 8,3 kg. The cost of gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in lambs fed the barley-based diets. The digestion trials showed that the dry matter and nutrient digestibility were higher for the commercial fattening rations compared to barley- based rations. The ration type has an effect on visceral organs and gastrointestinal tract components. Lambs fed the barley based rations had heavier visceral organs and gastrointestinal tract components, especially the small intestine. Similarly, the gut contents of these lambs were heavier compared to the gut contents of lambs fed the commercial fattening rations. Lambs fed the commercial fattening rations had more lean and fat nearly in most of the carcass cuts. However, carcass cuts of lambs fed the barley-based rations had more bone, especially in the cuts of neck and leg.
This research was conducted to investigate the differences between the two fattening systems operating in Palestine. Both systems are based on specific locations in the country with variable outcomes. A total of sixteen Awassi lambs were used in the experiment. Lambs were divided into two groups of eight lambs each. Lambs in the first group were fed a concentrate ration similar to those fed in commercial fattening operations. Lambs in the second group were fed a barley-based diet (70% barley plus 30% legume roughage). Lambs were fed their rations for 68 days where feed intake and refused were recorded. Lambs were weighed on weekly basis. At day 42 (if beginning of the feeding trial a digestion trial was made on two l animals of each group. An eight days total collection of feed, feces and urine was performed. At the time of terminating the trial, two lambs from each group were slaughtered and eviscerated. Weights of carcass, visceral organs, gastrointestinal tract components and contents were recorded. Also, carcasses were dissected for lean, fat and bone tissues and all weights were recorded. The performance of lambs fed the commercial fattening rations was much better (p<0.05) than lambs fed the barley based rations. This was observed from the performance parameters such as the total gain, average daily gain (278 vs., I44 g) and the efficiency of feed conversion. Lambs fed the commercial fattening rations had average feed efficiency of 5.5 kg while that of lambs fed the barley- based rations was 8,3 kg. The cost of gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in lambs fed the barley-based diets. The digestion trials showed that the dry matter and nutrient digestibility were higher for the commercial fattening rations compared to barley- based rations. The ration type has an effect on visceral organs and gastrointestinal tract components. Lambs fed the barley based rations had heavier visceral organs and gastrointestinal tract components, especially the small intestine. Similarly, the gut contents of these lambs were heavier compared to the gut contents of lambs fed the commercial fattening rations. Lambs fed the commercial fattening rations had more lean and fat nearly in most of the carcass cuts. However, carcass cuts of lambs fed the barley-based rations had more bone, especially in the cuts of neck and leg.
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