Effect of Barley Bran, Linseed Meal and Their Mixes Supplementation on Carcass and Non-Carcass Components of Arsi-Bale Sheep Fed on Basal Diet of Faba Bean Haulms

Abstract

Twenty five yearling male Arsi-Bale sheep breed with mean initial body weight of 19.8 ±1.29kg were used to evaluate the effect barley bran (BB), linseed meal (LSM) and their mixes supplementation on carcass, edible and non-edible offal components.  A complete randomized block design consisting of five treatments and five blocks was employed. The treatments were T₁: ad libitum feeding of faba bean haulms, T₂: ad libitum faba bean haulms + sole supplementation of BB, T₃: ad libitum faba bean haulms + supplementation of 2BB:1LSM, T₄: ad libitum faba bean haulms + supplementation of 1BB:2LSM and T₅: ad libitum faba bean haulms + sole supplementation of LSM. To increase intake, haulms were chopped 2-5cm prior to offering. The supplement feeds were offered at 300 g/head per day in DM basis at 08:00 and at 16:00 hours by dividing the daily offer into two equal portions.  The feeding trial was conducted for 90 days. At the end of the feeding trail, sheep were fasted for 12 hours (with free access to water), weighed and slaughtered for carcass and non-carcass components analysis. Unsupplemented sheep resulted significantly lowest carcass (P<0.001), liver (P<0.05), kidneys and intestines (P<0.01) weights as compared to supplemented treatments. There were no significant differences (P>0.001) observed among supplemented groups. In conclusion, different proportion of concentrate supplements could affect the weight of both the carcass and non-carcass components.

Keywords: Barley bran, carcass, faba bean haulms, linseed meal, offal