Abstract:
Optimum growth of a healthy animal depends upon adequate nutrition and management. Increased
weight gain and dry matter intake are well known factors that influence financial returns in sheep
enterprise. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different feeding frequencies on the
digestibility performance of lambs. Weaned Lohi lambs (n=27) of same age and same weight (20-22 Kg)
were randomly selected and divided into three groups (A, B and C). Each group was comprised of nine
animals, which were further subdivided into three replicates with three lambs each. Two times daily green
fodder (berseem) and concentrate was offered to group A (control), three times to group B and four times
to group C. Feed was offered according to body weight and water was offered ad libitum to all groups. The
data thus collected were analyzed by using analysis of variance technique (ANOVA). The highest digestible
dry matter intake (DMI) was observed in-group C (78.73±0.49%) as compared to group A (77.08±0.59%).
The mean (±S.E) values of digestible crude protein (CP) intake were similar for all groups. The mean
(±S.E) values of digestible fat and crude fiber also followed a same trend, whereas, the digestible ash
contents were highest under group C. Digestible NDF and ADF% were found to be highest for the groups A
and C, respectively. The present study revealed for that frequent feeding positively affects the digestibility
in Lohi lambs under feed lot fattening system.
