Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters, and carcass characteristics by lambs fed an oregano and cobalt blend
J.P. Wu,
R. Zhou,
L.S. Liu,
D.P. Casper,
X. Lang,
C.L. Wang,
L.P. Zhang,
S. Wei,
H.B. Liu
Affiliations
J.P. Wu
Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Key Laboratory for Sheep, Goat and Cattle Germplasm and Straw Feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Institute of Rural Development, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
R. Zhou
Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Key Laboratory for Sheep, Goat and Cattle Germplasm and Straw Feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Corresponding author at: Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China.
L.S. Liu
Key Laboratory for Sheep, Goat and Cattle Germplasm and Straw Feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Animal Husbandry, Pasture, and Green Agriculture Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
D.P. Casper
Casper’s Calf Ranch, 4890 West Lily Creek Road, Freeport, IL 61032, USA; Department of Animal Science, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
X. Lang
Key Laboratory for Sheep, Goat and Cattle Germplasm and Straw Feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Animal Husbandry, Pasture, and Green Agriculture Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
C.L. Wang
Key Laboratory for Sheep, Goat and Cattle Germplasm and Straw Feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Animal Husbandry, Pasture, and Green Agriculture Institute, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
L.P. Zhang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
S. Wei
College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
H.B. Liu
Key Laboratory for Sheep, Goat and Cattle Germplasm and Straw Feed in Gansu Province, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China; Institute of Agricultural and Economic Informant Ion, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, Gansu 730070, China
Shifting ruminal fermentation via feeding a blend of oregano (Organum vulgare L.) essential oils and Co-lactate (EOC; Rum-A-Fresh, Ralco, Inc. Marshall, MN) could improve lamb growth and carcass performance. Eighteen Suffolk × Little Han Tail F1 male lambs (20.3 ± 0.23 kg BW and approximately 3 months old) were randomly assigned using a completely random design to one of three treatments. Treatments were (1) EOC0: basal ration without EOC, (2) EOC4: basal ration plus 4 g/d EOC, and (3) EOC7: basal ration plus 7 g/d EOC. Initial and 24 d BW was similar (P > 0.10), but at 48 and 72 d, lambs fed EOC7 demonstrated greater (P = 0.01) BW compared with EOC0 fed lambs, while lambs fed EOC4 were intermediate and similar (P > 0.05). Average daily gains (ADGs) for 0–24 and 0–72 d were greater (P 0.10). Feed conversions for 0–24 d were improved (P 0.05). DM, NDF, and ADF digestibilities were similar (P > 0.10) among treatments, while CP digestibility was greater (P 0.01) for lambs fed EOC7 compared with lambs fed EOC0 and EOC4, while rump width was greater (P > 0.01) for lambs fed EOC4 and EOC7 compared with lambs fed EOC0. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) for lambs fed EOC4 and EOC7 compared with lambs fed EOC0, while albumin, total serum protein, and glucose concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for lambs fed EOC4 and EOC7 compared with lambs fed EOC0. Feeding an EOC blend as an alternative antibiotic growth promoter at 4 and 7 g/d linearly improved lamb growth performance, feed conversions, frame growth, carcass weights, dressing percentages, and immunity.
