Influence of Varying Percentages of Sorghum Gluten Feed on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Sudan Desert Lambs.

Abstract

Twenty five lambs, averaging 23.6 kg., were used to examine the effect of sorghum gluten feed (SGF) on performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs were stratified according to body weight into five comparable groups assigned to five dietary treatments. Treatments were (1) diet A (0% SGF), (2) diet B (20% SGF), (3) diet C (35% SGF), (4) diet D (50% SGF), and (5) diet E (65% SGF). Feed intake and average daily gain were greater (P<0.05) for lambs offered diet A and C than for those offered diets D and E. The respective feed intake (kg/day) and daily gain (g) for lambs fed diets A, C, D and E were 1.58, 232.5; 1.29, 215.8; .99, 62.1 and 0.88, 87.3. Lambs given diet B had higher (P<0.05) values of these parameters than those given diet D. Feed conversion ratio was not affected (P>0.05) by dietary treatments, however it tended to be lower for lambs given diets A, B and C than for lambs given diets D and E. The values of this trait were 6.9, 6.3, 6.3, 8.5 and 15.2 for lambs fed diets A, B, C, D and E, respectively. Dressing-out percentage was higher (P<0.05) for lambs given diet A (47.5%) than for those given diets B and C (44.3 Vs 43.6%, respectively). Proportions of wholesale cuts did not differ (P<0.05) among dietary treatments. Dietary treatments had no influence (P>0.05) on percentages of muscle, bone and fat of slaughtered animals. Similarly, chemical composition of meat for moisture, fat and ash was not different (P>0.05) among dietary treatments. Dietary treatments affected (P<0.05) chemical composition of meat with regard to protein. Protein was highest (23.9%) for lambs given diet B, intermediate (22.3%) for those given diet A and lowest (21.1 %) for those given diet C.