Effect of dietary inclusion of palm kernel meal in concentrate mixture on growth performance of lambs
Author(s): SV Kshirsagar, SM Bhalerao, SM Bhokre, AY Doiphode, VM Sardar and AK Barate
Abstract: Eighteen growing lambs with similar body weight and sex ratio were selected for a 91-day experimental study. The lambs were randomly allocated into three experimental groups (T?, T? and T?), each consisting of six animals. A concentrate mixture was formulated using conventional feed ingredients, incorporating Palm Kernel Meal (PKM) at 10% and 20% levels in groups T? and T?, respectively. The control group (T?) received a total mixed ration comprising jowar dry roughage, green maize fodder, and concentrate mixture in a 50:20:30 ratio on a dry matter basis (DMB). The initial and mean body weights of lambs among the treatment groups (T?, T? and T?) were statistically non-significant. However, a significant (p?0.05) increase in final body weight was observed within each group. Similarly, the average daily gain (ADG) showed a significant (p?0.05) improvement over time within groups. Statistical analysis indicated that the inclusion of PKM had no significant effect on Feed Conversion Efficiency (FCE), as FCE values remained similar across all treatments. The highest mean dry matter intake (DMI, g/head/day) was recorded in T? (799.31±24.14), followed by T? (709.51±7.06) and T? (663.21±15.37), showing an overall significant difference (P=0.001). The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract remained within the optimal range across all treatment groups, with no statistically significant (p>0.05) differences, indicating efficient nutrient utilization. The present study concluded that the inclusion of PKM in the concentrate mixture of growing lambs had no adverse effects on growth performance or nutrient digestibility. Therefore, the findings support the potential use of PKM as an economical and sustainable alternative feed source for lambs.
