THE EFFECT OF SODIUM BICARBONATE, CEMENT KILN DUST AND AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE ON THE GROWTH OF LAMBS

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted in which 20-kg feeder lambs were fed diets supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, cement kiln dust or ammonium perchlorate, or control diet in combination with long timothy hay until they reached a market weight of 40 kg. Lambs fed sodium bicarbonate or cement kiln dust grew faster (P < 0.05) than the control group and showed equal or superior feed efficiency. Cement kiln dust in the diet produced a higher fecal pH (P < 0.01) thus demonstrating a buffering effect in the lower digestive tract. Sodium bicarbonate or cement kiln dust had no effect on rumen pH. The control and ammonium perchlorate groups grew at the same rate but the control animals showed better feed efficiency.