Effect of cyclic feeding patterns on growth, serum metabolites and hormones, organ size and carcass traits of wether lambs

TitleEffect of cyclic feeding patterns on growth, serum metabolites and hormones, organ size and carcass traits of wether lambs
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication1991
AuthorsEstell R.E., Havstad K, Heird C.E., Fredrickson E.L., Hallford D.M., Shupe, W. Larry
Conference NameAmerican Society of Animal Science
Date Published1991
Keywordsfeeding patterns, growth, lambs, organ mass
AbstractA study using 15 wether lambs (avg wt of 28.8 kg) was conducted (eight 16-d periods, five lambs/treatment) to examine effects of cyclic intake of dry matter or energy density. During the first four periods, controls received a 40% concentrate diet (40C) at 1.5 x NE., another group (1X/2X) received 40C at 1 and 2 x NE, in 4-d intervals and a third group (70/10) received 70 and 10% concentrate diets in 4-d intervals. All lambs were fed the control diet during periods 5 and 6 and increased to 2 x maintenance during periods 7-8. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 65 and 129. During periods 5-6, average daily gain and gain:feed ratio of the control group were greater (P