Effect of Supplementation of Dietary Protected Lipids at Varying Levels of Feed Restriction on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Deccani Ram Lambs

The effect of supplementation of bypass fat in the form of Ca-soap of red palm oil on growth performance and carcass characteristics at varying levels of feed shortage was studied in lambs. Eighteen Deccani ram lambs (BW 19.45 +/- 1.06 kg) were randomly distributed into three equal groups. The first group (T-1) of lambs was fed complete ration ad lib. The second (T-2) and third (T-3) group of lambs were restricted to 85% and 70% of T-1 feed intake, respectively with supplementation of calcium soap of red palm oil at 10% of total DM requirement during the trial period of 180d. The ADG in lambs on ration T-3 was significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to those on ration T-1 and T-2. The feed efficiency was higher in lambs fed ration T-2 (9.19 kg) followed by T-1 (12.93 kg) and T-3 (13.14). Cost/kg gain was Rs. 79.91, 95.74 and 147.15 in lambs fed ration T-1, T-2 and T-3, respectively. Supplementation of Ca-soap of red palm oil at feed restriction up to 30% had no significant effect on dressing percentage, lean meat percent, fat and bone: meat ratio. However, the lambs fed T-2 ration had higher dressing percentage and other carcass traits than the other two groups tested in this study. It is concluded from the result of present study that calcium soap of red palm oil can be used as energy supplement at 100 g/d, when there is a shortage of feed intake to an extent of 15% with improved weight gain, and carcass characteristics. But economics has to be considered while supplementing protected fat to sheep under feed shortage conditions.