Comparative analysis of feeding probiotic and exogenous buffer on growth performance, nutrient utilization, blood biochemistry, rumen fermentation pattern and carcass characteristics of crossbred lambs reared under feedlot.

BACKGROUND

Feedlot nutrition is formulated to maximize growth rate and feed efficiency for high-quality meat production; however, high-grain diets can disrupt rumen function and cause digestive disorders, the inclusion of non-nutritive feed additives helps counter these effects, thereby enhancing growth performance and overall feed efficiency.

METHODS

The present study was carried out to delineate the effect of feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1,026 as probiotic and sodium bicarbonate as exogenous buffer on performance of feedlot crossbred lambs. Fifteen crossbred lambs were selected and divided equally into three treatment groups viz., FT, FT-P and FT-SB. In FT group, animals were fed feedlot diet only; while in FT-P and FT-SB groups, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and sodium bicarbonate were offered as feed additives, respectively. A 74-days feeding trial was conducted, including 10-days metabolism trial at the end.

RESULTS

No effect (p > 0.05) was observed in dry matter intake (DMI), body weight indices, feed conversion ratio (FCR), digestibility coefficients of nutrients and haemato-biochemical parameters. Rumen pH was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in FT-P group than FT group. Dressing percentage showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher values in FT-P group.

CONCLUSION

The present experiment validates that feeding of Saccharomyces cerevisiae had more beneficial effect than sodium bicarbonate feeding on the performance of feedlot lambs.