Effect of densified oat straw based complete feed on blood constituents and wool attributes of sheep

An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of densified oat straw based complete feed on blood constituents and wool quality and yield in ‘Corriedale’ lambs. Ten lambs of 6–7 month age weighing 16.72±0.75 kg were randomly divided into two equal groups and fed oat straw based complete feed (oats straw: tree leaves: concentrate mixture in 30: 30: 40 ratio), either in mash or block form, for 90 days. Complete feed blocks were prepared in feed block making machine at 3000 psi. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were at par in both the groups while average daily gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in block fed group. Biochemical constituents of blood were within normal physiological range in both the groups. Wool yield was significantly higher in lambs fed complete feed blocks. The study revealed that feeding of densified complete feed in block form has beneficial effect on daily weight gain, blood profile and wool yield.