Page 6 - Effects of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and growth performance in Lohi lambs

ABSTRACT

This study was planned to examine the effects of dried citrus pulp as an alternate energy

source on feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, growth performance, gain to feed ratio and

economics of lambs. Forty male lambs approximately 4-5 months of age having 22-28 kg body
weight were used in a randomized complete block design. Blocking was done on the basis of body

weight. The lambs were divided into 4 groups, 10 lambs in each. The diet was consisted of forage
and concentrate. The concentrates contained 10, 20, 30 and 40% dried citrus Pulp. The experiment

was 75 days long. Animals were dewormed against endo and ecto parasites before the start of

study. First 21 days were given as an adaptation period. Feed was offered ad libitum. Feed offered
and refused was recorded daily to determine feed intake. During collection period, three animals

from each group were shifted to separate metabolic pens to collect complete feces and urine for
determination of nutrients digestibility and nitrogen balance. Three animals were selected

randomly from each group for blood collection. Serum from blood was extracted and subjected to
the analysis of blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose. The lambs were individually weighed after

every 15 days before morning feeding to determine weight gain. Gain to feed ratio was determined

by dividing weight gain over feed intake. Economics of diets was calculated. Data thus collected
was analyzed by Analysis of variance (ANOVA) using general linear model procedure of SPSS

and means was compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results of our study showed non-
significant effect of various levels of DCP on nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen

metabolism, weight gain, feed efficiency and blood metabolites. While, significant effect was

observed on economics (price per kg of body weight gain).