<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In a total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system, lambs, as well as other animals, tend to exhibit dietary preferences. The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in the feed selection behavior between lambs previously accustomed to TMR feeding and lambs newly introduced to TMR diets.A total of eight male Suffolk lambs were allocated to two groups of four each. Both groups received the same feed formulation. The roughage portion of the diet consisted of alfalfa hay, whereas the concentrate portion included a concentrate mixture for finishing lambs. One group of lambs was fed total mixed rations containing 30% alfalfa hay and 70% pelleted concentrate. The other group received alfalfa hay and concentrate rations separately as single diets. Diet selection measurements were performed after four weeks of the experimental feeding regime.The results obtained indicate a clear preference of both groups for concentrate (112±5% and 110±6% respectively) over alfalfa hay (72±11% and 77±14% respectively). Significant differences were recorded in the duration of feeding time. The lambs accustomed to TMR feeding consumed 400 g of TMR for 18±1 minutes, whereas the lambs newly introduced to TMR diets required 154±88 minutes for the same allotment. Moreover, the lambs starting on a TMR diet were found to consume feed markedly slower, although their diet selection proved equally successful compared to the lambs accustomed to TMR feeding.</abstract>

In a total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system, lambs, as well as other animals, tend to exhibit dietary preferences. The purpose of this paper is to examine differences in the feed selection behavior between lambs previously accustomed to TMR feeding and lambs newly introduced to TMR diets.A total of eight male Suffolk lambs were allocated to two groups of four each. Both groups received the same feed formulation. The roughage portion of the diet consisted of alfalfa hay, whereas the concentrate portion included a concentrate mixture for finishing lambs. One group of lambs was fed total mixed rations containing 30% alfalfa hay and 70% pelleted concentrate. The other group received alfalfa hay and concentrate rations separately as single diets. Diet selection measurements were performed after four weeks of the experimental feeding regime.The results obtained indicate a clear preference of both groups for concentrate (112±5% and 110±6% respectively) over alfalfa hay (72±11% and 77±14% respectively). Significant differences were recorded in the duration of feeding time. The lambs accustomed to TMR feeding consumed 400 g of TMR for 18±1 minutes, whereas the lambs newly introduced to TMR diets required 154±88 minutes for the same allotment. Moreover, the lambs starting on a TMR diet were found to consume feed markedly slower, although their diet selection proved equally successful compared to the lambs accustomed to TMR feeding.

Diet Selection in Finishing Lambs

Contemporary Agriculture

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"Diet Selection in Finishing Lambs"}

In a total mixed ration (TMR) feeding system, lambs, as well as other animals, tend to exhibit dietary preferences. The purpose of this paper is to examine...

Diet Selection in Finishing Lambs

Publié en ligne: 06 août 2018

Pages: 183 - 186

Reçu: 28 déc. 2017

Accepté: 19 juin 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2018-0026

Mots clés
diet selection, Suffolk, lamb finishing

© 2018 Mirko Ivković et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Diet Selection in Finishing Lambs

Publié en ligne: 06 août 2018

Pages: 183 - 186

Reçu: 28 déc. 2017

Accepté: 19 juin 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2018-0026

Mots clésdiet selection, Suffolk, lamb finishing

© 2018 Mirko Ivković et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Mots clés
diet selection, Suffolk, lamb finishing