Page 66 - Effects of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and growth performance in Lohi lambs

ruminal microflora in lambs fed various levels of DCP, to detain maximum ammonia
(Butler, 1998).

Growth performance and Gain to feed ratio

Non-significant effect of DCP on weight gain in the study is supported by Caparra

et al. (2007). Scerra et al. (2001) also observed non-significant effect of DCP on body live

weight of lambs. Similarly, Santos et al. (2014) stated that there was no effect of different
levels of DCP on weight gain. Oni et al. (2008) also reported that different levels of DCP

did not influence the body weight gain in dwarf goats. Non-significant results of weight

gain in our study might be due to similarity in chemical composition of diet fed to the
lambs.

In contrary to this study, Bueno et al. (2002) reported a better growth performance
in Saanen kids fed diet having 46% DCP. Similarly, Miron et al. (2002) observed that there

was a higher weight gain in cows fed TMR having 21% DCP than those offered TMR
having 10% DCP. Alkire (2003) also reported higher weight gain in beef cattle fed DCP as

compared to other ones. Our study was not supported by Aregheore (2000) who stated
better average daily live weight gain in sheep and goat fed DCP based diets. The reason for

higher weight gain might be due to higher intake of feed by the animals with an increased

level of DCP (Williams et al., 1987).

However the feed efficiency of lambs fed DCP based diets increased with increase

in inclusion level of DCP. Similar results were reported by Chen et al. (1981) who observed
decreased feed conversion ratio in lambs with increasing levels of DCP in diet

Hadjipanayiotou and Louka (1976) also noticed similar results for feed conversion ratio in

male calves.

Economics

Results of this research are in accordance with Lanza et al. (2001) who reported
that DCP reduced the cost incurred on feed. Miron et al. (2002) also observed significant

effect of DCP on reducing the cost for diet formulation for dairy cows. Gholizadeh and
Naserian (2010) noticed feed cost reduction when barley grains were replaced with DCP in

the diet of Saanen kids. Similar findings were observed by Caparra et al. (2007) who noted

that use of DCP, as concentrate energy source is very economical in diets of lambs. Macedo

60