Gram dust as a replacer for conventional concentrate feed for fattening of Mecheri lambs

Abstract

The cost of concentrate feed represents a major limitation to profitable lamb production. This study evaluated the use of gram dust, a pulse-processing by-product, as a replacer for conventional concentrate feed in fattening diets for lambs. Twenty-four weaned Mecheri lambs (3-4 months old; average body weight 13.0 ± 0.8 kg) were randomly allotted to four treatment groups with six animals each: T? (control, 0%-gram dust), T? (25%), T? (50%), and T? (75%) replacement of concentrate feed with gram dust. The feeding trial lasted 90 days. Average daily gains (ADG) were 135.2, 130.4, 126.8, and 104.6 g/day for T?-T? respectively. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed up to 50% inclusion; however, higher replacement (75%) reduced performance. Feed conversion ratio and nutrient digestibility were unaffected up to 50% replacement. Feed cost per kg live weight gain decreased by 20-22% at 50% replacement.