Effect of Diets with Different Forage to Concentrate Ratio for Fattening of Lohi Lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different forage to concentrate ratios for fattening of Lohi lambs. For this purpose, 75 lambs were randomly divided into 3 groups A, B and C, with 25 lambs in each group. Berseem fodder was supplemented with concentrate at different ratios (forage to concentrate) as 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 and fed to groups A, B and C, respectively for a period of 66 days. The feed intake of lambs of group C (1938 ± 135g) was the highest, followed by group A (1723 ± 156g) and group B (1628 ± 152g). Daily body weight gain averaged 105 ± 12, 144 ± 09 and 168 ± 14g and feed conversion ratio averaged 16.41, 11.30 and 11.53, for groups A, B and C, respectively. Statistically, differences in feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio among lambs of three groups were significant (p<0.05). Dressing percentage averaged 46.80 ± 1.5, 46.93 ± 1.4 and 48.88 ± 1.5 for the respective diets. Dressing percentage was higher (p<0.05) in group C compared to groups A and B, however, no difference was observed between the latter two groups. Similarly, no differences were found in percent of crude protein, fats and total ash in carcasses of all three groups. Feed cost for one kg body weight gain averaged Rs.74, 61 and 55 for groups A, B and C respectively. These results indicated that forage to concentrate ratio of 25:75 is most appropriate for economical mutton production form Lohi lambs.