Effect of feeding different levels of monensin on the productive performance of Awassi lambs: Weight gain and feed conversion ratio

Abstract

This study was carried out at Animal field of Animal Production Department- Agriculture College - Al-Qasim Green University for 100 days to investigate the effect of feeding monensin to Awassi lambs at levels of 15, 30 and 45 mg/kg concentrate diet on weight gain and conversion ratio in treatments 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Lambs in control treatment (T1) were fed concentrate diet without monensin. Sixteen lambs were used with mean live body weights (LBW) of 24.84 kg and 4-6 months of age at 4 lambs per each treatment. Concentrate diet was offered at level of 2.75% of LBW divided into morning and evening meals. Ground wheat straw was offered ad libitum. Results revealed that final weight of lambs was not affected by monensin feeding, whereas significant increase (P<0.05) was recorded in total weight gain from 9.66 for control treatment to 11.17 and 11.35 kg, and daily weight gain from 138.09 for control treatment to 159.63 and 162.14 g/day due to feeding monensin at levels of 30 and 45 mg/kg concentrate diet respectively. Feed conversion ratio calculated on basis of total dry matter, organic matter and crude protein intakes was significantly (P<0.05) improved when monensin was introduced into concentrate diet at levels of 30 and 45 mg/kg.