The Effects of Different Levels of Prebiotic and Peptide Supplementations on Growth Performance, Apparent Digestibility Nutrients and Fecal Score in Suckling Zell Lambs

This study investigated the effects of different levels of prebiotic and peptide supplementations on growth performance, apparent digestibility of nutrients and fecal score in suckling Zell lambs. A completely randomized experiment was designed with a factorial arrangement of 3×2 containing 36 male suckling Zell lambs at the age of 10 days and with a mean weight of 4.4±0.33 kg for 70 days. The treatments consisted of 1- control (without prebiotic and peptide), 2-0 g of prebiotic and 2 g of peptide, 3-1.5 g of prebiotic and 0 g of peptide, 4-1.5 g of prebiotic and 2 g of peptide, 5-3 g of prebiotic and 0 of peptide, and 6-3 g of prebiotic and 2 g of peptide per day for the experimental lambs in milk replacement. The results of mean feed intake and daily weight gain of experimental lambs showed a significant difference between experimental treatments (P< 0.05), so were higher in  treatment of 2 g peptide and 1.5 g prebiotic. There was a significant difference in the apparent digestibility nutrients in DM, OM, CP and ADF peptide and peri-biotic interaction effects (P<0.05). In results of fecal score, there was a significant decrease in consistency score of 1.5 g prebiotics (P<0.05). Carcass traits significantly improved by treatment of 2 g peptide and 1.5 g prebiotic. There was no significant difference in the results of feed conversion rario (FCR) and body dimensions. The overall results showed, feed intake significantly increased by treatment of 2 g peptide and 1.5 g of prebiotic and improved daily gain and fecal score in some experimental periods as well as carcass traits in lambs.