Effects of National Research Council (NRC) 1985 and 2007 diets on performance markers in Afshari ram lambs

摘要

Performance markers in groups of twenty 3 month old Afshari ram lambs each, weighing 32±0.5kg fed National Research Council (NRC) 1985 and 2007 diets are described. Sheep were vaccinated against Enterotoxaemia and fed a diet of alfalfa and barley grain with ad libitum water for 3 weeks. Lambs were then fed NRC diets at 07.00 and 16.00 h daily. Sheep were weighed every 2 weeks after 18 hours of fasting. Feed offered or refused was recorded daily. Daily feed intakes, weight and feed conversion ratio were determined. In lambs fed NRC 1981 there were no differences in weights with the NRC 2007 diet, but overall daily consumption increased (P<0.05) as well as feed conversion during the 2nd and 4th weeks(P<0.05).