Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
2 Biotechnology Research Department , Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
3 Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Gorgan, Iran
4 Dept. Animal and Poultry Nutrition, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resoureces
5 Department of animal science, Golpayegan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Golpayegan, Iran
6 دانشگاه تبریز
Abstract
To investigate the effects of substituting alfalfa with camelthorn on the performance, digestibility, and ruminant behavior of Atabai fattening lambs, as well as to estimate the economic value of fattening, a total of 35 male Atabai fattening lambs with an average weight of 28±2.7 kg were utilized in a completely randomized design comprising five treatments and seven replications. The experimental groups included: the control treatment (100% alfalfa), the second treatment (25% camelthorn replacement for alfalfa), the third treatment (50% replacement for alfalfa), the fourth treatment (75% camelthorn replacement for alfalfa), and the fifth treatment (100% camelthorn replacement for alfalfa).The results indicated that replacing alfalfa with 75% and 100% camelthorn resulted in a reduction in the digestibility of neutral detergent insoluble fibers and a decrease in rumen pH among the lambs (P≥0.05). Furthermore, the groups consuming 75% and 100% camelthorn exhibited increased time spent chewing and ruminating, with the lambs receiving 100% camelthorn showing the least amount of jaw rest time. Additionally, varying levels of camelthorn led to a reduction in the cost per kilogram of feed, the cost of feed per kilogram of live weight gain, and the total feed costs throughout the fattening period. Consequently, the overall production income and net profit from fattening increased in the groups consuming 75% and 100% camelthorn (P≥0.05). The findings suggest that substituting camelthorn for alfalfa did not adversely affect livestock performance; rather, it resulted in reduced costs and improved rumen conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to utilize 100% camelthorn in lamb feed.
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