Effect of concentrate and urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) supplementation on the growth and feed consumption of Mecheri lambs under intensive rearing

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of concentrate and urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) supplementation on sheep under intensive system of rearing. Eight weaned Mecheri ram lambs were reared under concentrate (T1) and UMMB (T2) supplementation for 150 days. There was no significant difference between the groups in final body weight at the end of growth trial. Cumulative DMI was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in T1 group than T2 but, the supplementation of UMMB increased the intake of other fodders. Cumulative body weight gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T1 group in 5 months of the feeding experiment. Cumulative FCR was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T1 group in 0 to 60 and 0 to 90 days period and there after the difference was not significant. Cumulative per cent feed efficiency was better in T1 group at 0 to 90 days and 0 to 150 days of the experiment. It was concluded that UMMB could be used as a versatile non protein nitrogenous supplement to replace concentrate feed for intensively reared Mecheri sheep.