Cactus Pear as Roughage Source Feeding Confined Lambs: Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Economic Analysis

The effect of diets containing 0% wheat bran levels (control buffel grass and cactus pear) contrasted with pear as the only forage source (30; 37 44%) on nutrient digestibility, feed intake, animal performance, carcass characteristics, economic analysis was evaluated. Twenty-eight male, non-castrated crossbred lambs (22.6 ± 2.37 kg) were submitted to confinement for 62 days. A completely randomized design used four treatments seven repetitions. Four formulated considering an intended mean daily weight gain 200 g/animal/day. Means compared by contrasts using Dunnett test at 5%. Animals fed roughage (diets 30; 37, 44% bran) had lower dry matter intake Average Dairy Gain, total than animals control diet. Final body slaughter similar Hot cold yields higher in 30 37% bran. Feeding costs when associated consequently profit greater. use up is a viable alternative diet confined without modifying characteristics greater cost:benefit ratio.