Comparison of Supplementing Urea-Molasses Block and Urea-Atela Blocks on Body Weight Change and Carcass Characteristics of Male Blackhead Ogaden Sheep Fed Natural Pasture Hay

Abstract

The experiment consisted of ninety days of feeding trial, followed by evaluation of carcass parameters at the end of the experiment with the objectives of the study were (a) to evaluate body weight change and carcass0 characteristics of male black head ogaden sheep fed natural pasture hay (b) economic feasibility of supplementing block made from molasses versus block made from atela were also compared. the treatments consisted feeding of urea-molasses block ad libitum (50% of molasses: 23% wheat bran: 9% urea: 12% cement: 6% salt, T1), urea-atela block adlibitum (30% atela: 43% wheat bran: 9% urea: 12% cement: 6% salt, T2), urea-atela block ad libitum  (40% atela: 33% wheat bran: 9% urea: 12% cement: 6% salt, T3) urea-atela block ad libitum (50% atela:23% wheat bran:9% urea:12% cement :6% salt, T4). Two kg block per week per head was given to each experimental animal.

Supplementation with urea-atela block, consisting higher amount of wheat bran (T2) had significantly (P<0.001) higher daily weight gain (55.5±2.2), DM (600.45 ± 8.7) g and nutrient intakes (CP=104.2 ± 3.2) than Urea-molasses block.

Keywords: black head ogaden sheep, body-weight gain, carcass characteristics, urea-atela block, urea-molasses block.