Feeding efficiency of lambs finished in feedlot and fed alfalfa hay and/or black oat grains
2025
J.F. Lopes | R.O. Mello | R.S. Venturini | D.D. Brutti | A.B. Moro | S. Macari | L.C. Coelho | I. Fonseca | F.J.M. Toledo | C.C. Pires
ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to evaluate the feed efficiency of lambs fed diets composed of alfalfa hay and/or black oat grains in a feedlot. 30 weaned lambs were distributed in a 3x2 factorial scheme (three diets and two sexes). The experimental diets were roughage only (ROU), roughage (50%) and concentrate (50%) (RCO) and concentrate only (CON). The slaughter criterion used was body condition score. There was no interaction between diet and sex. The lambs in the ROU treatment consumed more dry matter (DM) and consequently more nutrients. The RCO lambs consumed intermediate values, and the CON animals consumed less DM and nutrients. Males consumed more DM. Lambs from the ROU treatment had a higher final body weight compared to lambs from the RCO treatment. The average daily gain was higher in the RCO lambs compared to the ROU lambs. The lambs' feed efficiency was best in the CON treatment, followed by the RCO and the ROU treatment lambs had the worst feed efficiency. Females have better feed efficiency when evaluated by bionutritional efficiency.
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