Effect of Feed Processing on the Fattening Performance and Carcass Traits of Awassi Ram Lambs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of processing type of feed on the fattening performance and carcass traits of Awassi ram lambs. A total of 26, three month old Awassi ram lambs were used and randomly allocated into three groups (group 1, fed with ground feed, n = 8; group 2, fed with pellet feed, n = 9; group 3, fed with extruded pellet feed, n = 9). The results showed that total weight gain and Average Daily Gain (ADG) of ram lambs during the study were 12.8 +/- 1.1 kg and 180.9 +/- 17.7 g for group 1, 12.8 +/- 0.9 kg and 252.1 +/- 21.5 g for group 2 and 14.6 +/- 0.6 kg and 287.8 +/- 23.4 g for group 3, respectively. The difference of ADG among groups were significant (p<0.01). Lambs fed with extruded pellet feed (group 3) tend to have lower fattening period (19 d less) than group 1 (p = 0.07). Slaughter weight, warm and cold carcass weight, dressing percentage, fat thickness and Muscles Longissimus Dorsi (MLD) area were found not to be statistically significant (p>0.05). The results of the current study shows that feeding of Awassi ram lambs with extruded feed had positive effects on fattening performance, Feed Conversion Rate (FCR) and fattening period which are economically important for sheep farms.