Authors : Cimen Murat , Karaalp Musa and Elmastas Mahfuz
Abstract: In this study, the changes in the plasma parameters of different live weight animals were investigated when diet is constituted by the free choice of animals instead of feeding a standard diet. In experiment 1, 6-7 months old Karayaka male lambs (7 light and 7 heavy) were used. Sugar beet pulp, perennial ryegrass and alfalfa straw were used to feed lambs in the research lasting for 28 days. In experiment 2, 7-8 months old Karayaka male lambs (7 light and 7 heavy) were used. The ground barley, wheat bran, expeller cottonseed meal and alfalfa straw were used to feed. The second experiment was continued for 42 days. In roughage selection, heavy lambs consumed more feed (54%) than light lambs in total consumption (experiment 1). Besides, the Sugar beet pulp and alfalfa straw consumption of heavy lambs were higher than that of light lambs 64 and 30%, respectively. In experiment 2, total feed consumption of heavy lambs was higher (39.8%) than that of light lambs. Besides the feed consumption of heavy lambs was higher 15.7, 59.8, 124 and 27.3 % for ground barley, wheat bran, expeller cottonseed meal and alfalfa straw, respectively. In both experiments, there were no significant (p>0.05) differences between plasma glucose, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, globulin, amylase, sodium and potassium of groups. But, the cholesterol values were found to be higher (p<0.05) in heavy lambs in experiment 1 and 2. In both experiments, high plasma cholesterol of heavy lambs may depend on the increases in energy and protein consumptions per kg metabolic weight and in hormonal activities.
Cimen Murat , Karaalp Musa and Elmastas Mahfuz , 2005. The Effect of Voluntary Feed Intake on Plasma Parameters of Different Live Weight Lambs . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 698-701.