EFFECT OF FOOD RESTRICTION AND PROTECTED AMINO ACIDS ADDITION ON THE COMPOSITION OF AWASSI LAMBS CARCASSES

Document Type : Research article

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Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Mosul, Iraq

Abstract

Feeding systems for fattening lambs are ad-libitum, restricted feeding or mixing between them. This study aimed to investigate the effect of feed restriction during various stages of fattening with the addition of protected essential amino acids, methionine and lysine, on the productive performance in Awassi lambs. Twenty lambs were divided into four groups, the control (group 1, G1) was fed standard diet by 4% of body weight for (90) days. Both G2 and G3 were fed similar to G1 during the first 45 days, lowered to 3.3% during the following 45 days, with the addition of protected methionine 5 gm and lysine 10 gm per lamb daily for the third group only. The fourth group (G4) were fed by 3.3% of body weight during the 90 days and was supplemented with methionine and lysine similar to G3. Results indicated no significant differences between treatments in body weight and total gain in first 45 day of study. While highest total body gain (P≤0.05) was recorded in (G4) 9.94 kg through the second period, compared with the lowest (G2) 7.75 kg. Carcass weight decreased (P≤0.05) in (G3) 26.26 kg compared with (G1 and G2). Adding protected amino acids in (G3 and G4) accompanied by a decline in dressing percentage 53.99 and 53.11% (P≤0.05) compared to (G1 and G2). The total fat percent in the carcass rose in (G3) to 30.94% than other groups. In conclusion, the combination of the restricted feeding system and supplementation of protected amino acids help improve carcass composition by enhancing muscle development while limiting fat deposition resulting in a good quality carcasses with a higher weight and a favorable fat ratio for the customer.

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