Page 37 - Effects of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and growth performance in Lohi lambs

Growth performance and Gain to feed ratio

Bueno et al. (2002) carried out an experiment to evaluate the effect of DCP in
replacement of corn grain (concentrate energy source) and its effect on weight gain in

Saanen kids. Corn was replaced by DCP at 0, 23, 46 and 66.5% as concentrate energy

source. Sixteen kids were taken into metabolic cages. They were fed concentrate along with
ad libitum chopped grass hay. Initial and final weight were recorded and analyzed. Results

revealed that growth performance was higher in those Saanen kids fed diet having 46%
DCP.

Similar results were observed by Miron et al. (2002) who performed an experiment

to evaluate the effect of DCP on weight gain in dairy cows. Ten cows were divided into
two experimental groups. Animals of group 1 were fed TMR having 10% DCP and 20%

corn while animals of other group were offered 21% DCP and 9% corn. Both TMRs also
contained 6.5% soya bean meal, 14% extruded full fat soya bean, 28% corn silage, 19.5%

legume haylage, minerals and vitamins. They observed higher weight gain in cows fed
TMR having 21% DCP than those offered TMR having 10% DCP. They reported that the

higher weight gain was due to the presence of neutral detergent soluble in citrus pulp, which

is highly digestible.

Alkire (2003) conducted an experiment to assess the effects of feeding citrus pulp

as supplements, on weight gain in beef cattle. He used Angus × Brahman crossbred steers
and heifers for the experimental purposes. These steers and heifers were fed ad libitum

Bahia grass hay as a basal diet along with concentrate. The concentrate was comprised corn

and citrus pulp with increasing levels of undegradable protein. He observed comparatively
more weight gain in animals fed citrus pulp as compared to those who were not fed citrus

pulp.

Similarly, Caparra et al. (2007) also observed better gain to feed ratio in Italian

Merino lambs by replacing cereal grains with dried citrus pulp. They replaced cereal grains

with dried citrus pulp at the level of 0, 30 and 45%. They observed higher gain to feed ratio
in lambs replacing cereal grains with dried citrus pulp at the level of 45% of the DM.

In contrary, Scerra et al. (2001) performed an experiment to evaluate the effect of
DCP on weight gain and performance of Meerinizzata Italiana lambs. Two experimental

diets were formulated. Twenty lambs were selected for the experiment and divided into two

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