Effect of common reed (Phragmites australis) silage on performance of growing lambs

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of common reed silage on the performance of growing lambs. Twenty Barki (33±0.57 kg) and 9 months old were divided into four equal groups in 90 days experimental period. The treatments were; (C) as a control group were animals fed clover hay plus Concentrate Feed Mixture (CFM), while, the experimental animals were fed (Rl) reed (Phragmites australis) silage with molasses (RSM) plus CFM, R2) Reed Silage with Molasses and Formic acid (RSMF) plus CFM and (R3) Reed Silage with Molasses and Lactic acid bacteria (RSML) plus CFM. The chemical composition indicated that control ration was insignificantly little pitting lower in crude fiber and its constituents and higher in NFE comparing to the other rations. The digestibility coefficients (%) of nutrients (EE, CF, NDF, ADF, Cellulose and hemicellulose) were insignificantly different. On the other hand, DM, OM and CP digestibilities were significantly higher with Rl comparing to the control ration. There was no significant difference for nutritive value estimates of TDN, DCP, GE and DE among all tested rations. Similarly, the nitrogen balance was insignificantly differed among all treatments. Rumen pH of all treatments was significantly decreased at 3 h post feeding and then increased at 6 h post feeding. In contrary both ruminal ammonia nitrogen and total volatile fatty acids increased at 3 h post feeding and then decreased at 6 h post feeding. Blood metabolites of Albumin, Globulin and GOT were insignificantly differed for all tested rations, while total proteins and creatinine were significantly higher in R2, urea significantly higher in control ration and GPT significantly higher with Rl. In digestion trail, feed intake as DM and TDN was significantly higher in the control group, while DCP intake was insignificantly differed. Treatments feed conversion was insignificantly differed. It is concluded that reed silage was quite suitable as an alternative fodder for lambs growing with some minor additives that keep protein and energy on the demanded requirements.