Incorporation of Isobutyric Acid as Feed Additive for Small Ruminants

Eight adult male sheep were divided into four equal groups. Four treatments were initiated to measure the effect of isobutyric acid in the ration on various parameters through assessing the performance changes in rumen fluid and blood parameters. The treatment consisted of standard diet (T1-control), T1 with isobutyric acid (T2), urea diet (T3) and urea diet with isobutyric acid (T4). Supplementation of isobutyric acid increased the total volatile fatty acid levels significantly (P<0.05) in rumen especially in combination with urea and molasses. Isobutyric acid decreased the level of ammonia nitrogen, increased the concentration of trichloro acetic acid nitrogen in ruminal fluid. Blood parameters were within the normal range. Incorporation of Isobutyric acid supplementation in the ration of sheep thus was proved beneficial.