Effect of feeding some types of Atriplex SSP in complete diet on growth performance and digestibilty of growing lambs

Abstract

Thirty six Najdi lambs were randomly allotted to four dietary groups with three replicates per diet to evaluate the effect of feeding some types of Atriplex Spp. in complete diet on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance and growth performance. Animal fed for 70 days on four different diets as whole mixed diet (control diet containing hay (C), Atriplex halimus (H), Atriplex Lecucoclada (L) and Atriplex (H + L)), where Atriplex incorporated to replace the hay of control diet. Digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the experiment. The results showed that the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fiber (CF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were slightly decreased with no significant differences as a result of using Atriplex Spp. compared to hay diet, while nitrogen free extract (NFE) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility were decreased significantly (P < 0.05). While no significant difference was detected for the digestible crude protein (DCP) values, significant differences on nutritive value (P < 0.05) were found on control diet for TDN values compare to other diets containing Atriplex Spp. The ranges of nitrogen balance were from 7.10 to 8.54 g /day for both types of Atriplex Spp and control diet, respectively with no significant differences. Average daily dry matter intake was higher (P < 0.05) in lambs fed diets containing Atriplex Spp. than the control. No significant differences were detected on average daily gain with higher in lamb fed control diet than other diets. In conclusion, these results indicated that Atriplex Spp. forage could be beneficial in the diet of growing Lambs.