Title | Effect of cyclic feeding patterns on growth, serum metabolites and hormones, organ size and carcass traits of wether lambs |
Publication Type | Conference Paper |
Year of Publication | 1991 |
Authors | Estell RE, Havstad K, Heird C.E., Fredrickson E.L., Hallford D.M., Shupe, W. Larry |
Conference Name | American Society of Animal Science |
Date Published | 1991 |
Keywords | feeding patterns, growth, lambs, organ mass |
Abstract | A study using 15 wether lambs (avg wt of 28.8 kg) was conducted (eight 16-d periods, five lambs/treatment) to examine effects of cyclic intake of dry matter or energy density. During the first four periods, controls received a 40% concentrate diet (40C) at 1.5 x NE., another group (1X/2X) received 40C at 1 and 2 x NE, in 4-d intervals and a third group (70/10) received 70 and 10% concentrate diets in 4-d intervals. All lambs were fed the control diet during periods 5 and 6 and increased to 2 x maintenance during periods 7-8. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 65 and 129. During periods 5-6, average daily gain and gain:feed ratio of the control group were greater (P < .10) than cyclic treatments. During periods 1-4, a trend existed for the 1X/2X treatment to have higher average daily gain (P = .15) and gain:feed (P = .12) than controls. Liver wt (hot carcass wt basis) was higher (P < .05) for controls. Hot carcass wt (P = .07) and dressing percentage (P = .09) tended to be higher for the 70/10 treatment than controls. Alternated feeding patterns resulted in no major shifts in GH, insulin, triiodothyronine or thyroxine profiles compared with controls. The 1X/2X treatment resulted in lower (P < .05) serum cholesterol than the other groups on d 65 but not on d 0 or 129. Smaller liver wt per unit of carcass wt with the 1X/2X and 70/10 treatment suggests a possible reduction of maintenance requirements. |