Garut Sheep productivity in different initial body weight with feeding by water spinach straw at adaptation phase

Abstract

This study aims to determine Garut Sheep productivity in different initial body weight feeding by water spinach straw at adaptation phase. Thirty-one Garut ewes (1-year-old) used on this research and divided into 3 groups of initial body weight, SS (11.01-14.00 kg), MS (14.01-17.00 kg), LS (17.01-20.00 kg). Sheep were kept intensively and fed concentrate and water spinach straw (Ipomea reptans). The weighing was carried out before treatment (day 0) and after the adaptation period ended (day 14). Average daily gain, Feed conversion ratio, Feed cost per day, and Feed cost per gain were calculate to evaluate animal productivity. There are no differences in feed intake of water spinach straw and concentrate on each group of body weight (P>0.05). MS and LS groups had the best gain and ADG (P <0.05). MS has the best feed conversion compared to SS, so it has an impact on the feed cost per gain which is also cheaper (P <0.05). The results of this study show that the FCR and feed cost per gain of LS group were not different compare SS group (P> 0.05). It can be concluded that MS group has the best performance during the adaptation period.