USING STRAWBERRY (Fragaria ananas) VINE HAY IN RATIONS OF GROWING LAMBS.

Galal, H. M. F; El-Menniawy, M. A.; Abo  El–Fadel, M. H.; Khir, A. A.; Abdel–Azeam, Abdel–Azeam N.

doi:10.21608/jappmu.2016.52728

USING STRAWBERRY (Fragaria ananas) VINE HAY IN RATIONS OF GROWING LAMBS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Utilization of By-products Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center Giza, Egypt.

² Sheep and Goats Department, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt.

10.21608/jappmu.2016.52728

Abstract

This study was conducted at Sids Experiment Station, Animal Production Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, to evaluate the effect of inclusion strawberry vine (SBV) as an untraditional ingredient in lambs ration on their growth performance. Twelve lambs averaged 170.94 Kg live body weight were divided into three similar groups according to their body weights (4 lambs in each) and were used in a comparative feeding trial. Control ration (D1) was formulated from 70% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) plus 30% rice straw (RS) on dry matter basis in order to cover 100% of NRC feeding standard. Tested rations (D2 and D3) were formulated so that 25 or 50% of the total CP of the control ration were supplied from strawberry vines hay, respectively. Digestion trials were conducted to determine the digestibility and feeding values of the experimental rations. Growth performance parameters were evaluated and samples of rumen liquor and blood were analyzed as well.
Results showed that concentration CP and NFE of strawberry vine hay were higher, while CF and ash were lower than those rice straw, while NFE of strawberry vine hay was similar to that of CFM. The OM digestibility of D2 was significantly higher than that of D1 (control) or D3. The digestibility coefficients of CP, EE and NFE of D2 were significantly higher than those of D1 and insignificantly higher than those of D3. Value of CF digestibility of D2 was significantly higher than that of D1 or D3. The TDN of D2 was significantly higher than that of D1 and D3, and the value of DCP of D2 was significantly higher than that of D1 and insignificantly than D3. Rumen pH value of lambs fed D3 was significantly higher than those of D1 and D2 at 3 and 6 hrs post feeding, while the differences between D1 and D2 were not significant. Ruminal ammonia-N and total VFA concentrations were not affected by dietary treatments. No significant differences were found among treatments in most measured blood serum constituents. Daily gain of D2 was significantly higher than that of D1 and D3, and D1 was significantly higher than D3. Feed conversion (DMI/gain) of D2 was significantly better than that of D3 and insignificantly better than that of D1. Total cost of D2 and D3 were significantly lower than D1 and the economical efficiency of D2 was higher than that of D1 and D3.
It could be concluded that 25% of CP of lambs ration consisting of concentrate feed mixture and rice straw could be replaced by strawberry vines hay protein, since it increases daily gain and improves the economical efficiency.

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