Authors : J. Salinas-Chavira , M. Dominguez-Munoz , R. Bernal-Lorenzo , R.F. Garcia-Castillo and C. Arzola-alvarez
Abstract: The effects of diets containing Dried Pig Manure (DPM) and Dried Rumen Contents (DRC) on growth performance and carcass characteristics were examined in lambs. Sixteen intact male Pelibuey�Dorper lambs weighing 23.8�1.9 kg were housed in individual pens for a 60-day feeding trial and were assigned randomly into four treatment diets in a 2�2 factorial design, based on the addition of 15% DPM and/or 4% DRC: T1 no addition (control); T2 DPM only; T3 DRC only; and T4 both DPM and DRC. All diets were formulated to contain 14% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME kg 1 DM. At the end of the trial, carcass images were recorded in the last intercostal space (12-13th ribs) using ultrasound to measure the Longissimus dorsi area muscle and subcutaneous fat. Daily dry matter intake was lower (p< 0.05) in animals consuming DPM plus DRC, compared to animals consuming only DPM or DRC, but similar to the control group; DMI was 941, 1077, 1015 and 952 g, for T1 to T4, respectively. Average daily gain (227, 209, 214 and 188 g, respectively) and feed efficiency (5.37, 5.54, 5.44 and 6.02, respectively) were similar (p>0.05) between groups. Moreover, subcutaneous fat (0.31, 0.29, 0.29 and 0.24 cm, respectively) and Longissimus dorsi area (15.37, 15.32, 15.66 and 14.47 cm2, respectively) showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between lambs fed the four diets. In conclusion, feed consumption was depressed in the diet with pig manure plus rumen contents, however, weight gain or carcass characteristics were not influenced by the inclusion of pig manure and/or rumen contents in their diets.
J. Salinas-Chavira , M. Dominguez-Munoz , R. Bernal-Lorenzo , R.F. Garcia-Castillo and C. Arzola-alvarez , 2007. Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Feedlot Lambs Fed Diets with Pig Manure and Rumen Contents . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 505-508.