Performance of Assaf Lambs Fed Two Upgraded Agricultural Wastes

Abstract

Effects of ensiled greenhouse wastes (GHW), alkali-treated GHW and almond hulls (AH) on growth performance were studied on 24 Assaf lambs. All lambs were males with an average weight of 36.2 kg (S.D. = 2.1 kg) at the beginning of the experiment. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 lambs each. Lambs in each group received individually corn-soybean meal (SBM) total mixed rations (TMR). Rations were incorporated with a fixed amount (200 g/kg) of the treated raw ingredients: ensiled greenhouse wastes, alkali-treated GHW and ensiled AH. All rations were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The growth experiment lasted 80 d. Both chemical and biological treatments had significant effects on improving crude protein (CP) and fiber fractions. At termination of the experiment, lambs fed treated ingredients (i.e., ensiled GHW, alkali-treated GHW, ensiled AH) had better (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratios and consumed less (P < 0.05) feed. Treated GHW and AH had no effect on average daily gain (P = 0.14) and total gain (P = 0.21). Cost of gain was significantly lower in lambs fed the treated ingredients.