Voluntary nutrient intake and growth performance of Muzaffarnagari lambs under intensive feeding system

The present study was conducted to investigate the voluntary intake and growth performance of Miizaffarnagari lambs born in 2 seasons (viz. March-April and October-November) and maintained under intensive system of feeding management. Post-weaned lambs (56) at the age of 3 months were equally distributed having similar male and female ratio. Concentrate mixture @500g/d was offered to each lamb; and gram straw and available cultivated fodders were given ad lib. to each lamb. The intake pattern and growth performance of each lamb was recorded up to 6 months of age. The total dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and protein (CP) intake averaged 856.91, 773.16 and 137.14 g, respectively. The DM, OM and CP intake/100 kg body weight were 3.71 kg, 3.35 kg and 593.54 g, respectively. The overall least-squares means of weight at 3- and 6-month; and average daily weight gain (ADG) were 13.83 kg, 23.29 kg and 105.11 g, respectively. The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) measured in terms of DM and OM intake were 12.24% and 13.56%, respectively. The season of birth of lambs significantly influenced the ADG and FCE of lambs. The DM, CP and OM intake per 100 kg body weight and per kg W-0.75 were higher in female lambs than male. Males showed higher body weights at 3 and 6 month of age, ADG and FCE as compared to female lambs. Single born lambs had higher DM intake from straw and body weight at 6-month of age than lambs born as twins. The regression of body weight of ewes at lambing was significant and positive on 3- and 6-month body weight of lambs, whereas it significantly and negatively affected the total DM, OM and CP intake of lambs measured on the basis of unit body size of animals.