Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies (Sep 2023)
Comparative Evaluation of Lowland Sheep Breeds under Graded Level Supplement Feeds, Ethiopia
Abstract
Performance of three sheep breeds in the lowland areas of western Amhara, the Gumuz, Rutana and Begiet were evaluated using three levels of concentrate (400, 500 and 600 g head-1 day-1 ) having same Noug seed cake:Wheat bran ratio (75:25) under feedlot condition. The roughage was native grass hay which was offered adlibitum. Thirty two eight to nine old intact male sheep (12 breed-1 ) were randomly allotted to the dietary treatments, fed for 90 days and slaughtered at an age of approximately 12 months. Breed and diet (concentrate level) significantly affected average daily gain (ADG). Gumuz and Rutana sheep breeds achieved higher average daily gain (ADG) than Begiet. Sheep fed on concentrate L2 (500 g head-1 day-1 ) recorded significantly higher ADG than sheep fed on L1 and L3. As a result of better slaughter weight (SW) achieved higher hot carcass weight (HCW) was recorded by Gumuz and Begiet sheep breeds. Because of greater difference in proportion of non-carcass components and better HCW achieved relative to slaughter body weight, better dressing percentage (DP) was achieved by Gumuz. Breed and concentrate level did not improve main carcass components, edible and non- edible offal. Meat quality attributes were not influenced by breed. Among the concentrate levels L2 was optimum to improve major meat quality attributes like juiciness, flavor and over all acceptance. Sheep supplemented with concentrate L2 had the highest net return (855.06 ETB and highest MRR (14.12) compared to the other concentrate levels. Compared to other lowland breed Gumuz and Rutana sheep breeds recorded highest net return (733.42 and 531.67 ETB) and highest MRR (10.25 and 11.42 ETB), respectively. Thus, it is recommended that use of adaptive sheep breeds (Gumuz and Rutana) to that specific environment and use of concentrate level two (L2) are biologically efficient and potentially profitable in the feeding of growing lowland sheep to the area and other similar areas.
