Combinations of <i>Urochloa</i> hybrid Mulato II and natural pasture hays as a basal diet for growing Farta lambs in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the feed intake, digestibility, bodyweight change and carcass characteristics of Farta lambs fed Brachiaria (now: Urochloa) hybrid Mulato II natural pasture hays in various proportions as a basal diet supplemented with local concentrate mixture (CM). Twenty-five yearling male mean initial body weight 19.6±0.29 kg (mean±s.e.) were used feeding (90 days) digestibility (7 trials. randomly allocated following 5 dietary treatments on basis stratified weight: 100% hay (NPH) (T1); 75% NPH+25% Urochloa (MH) (T2); 50% NPH+50% MH (T3); 25% NPH+75% (T4); (T5). A [300 g dry matter (DM)/hd/d] all animals. Crude protein (CP) concentration increased proportion ration (P<0.05). Intake DM nutrients, nutrient coefficients significantly (P<0.05) roughage component increased. Final weight, average daily gain, conversion efficiency most parameters measured higher from 0 diet. Based biological performance experimental lambs, sheep region could be enhanced by incorporating native supplement rations. Economic assessments would reveal optimal combinations for achieve particular outcomes. Other improved grass legume species may fill same role should investigated differing environments.