Effects of pen flooring type and bedding on lamb growth and carcass characteristics

A Dynamic Tool to Describe Lamb Growth and Its Use as a Decision Support System

A dynamic model has been developed to simulate aspects of feedlot lamb growth and body composition, including energy and protein requirements, growth rate, composition of gain, and body mass. Model inputs include initial body mass (kg), standard final mass (kg), age (days), and dietary energy concentration (Mcal·kg-1). The model was assessed as a decision support tool using a dataset of 564 individual measures of final body mass and diet energy. The simulations provide graphical and numerical descriptions of nutrient requirements, composition of gain, and estimates of animal performance over time. The model is accurate and precise, with a root mean squared error of 7.79% of the observed final body mass and a coefficient of determination of 0.89 when simulating the same variable. The model can be used as a reliable decision support tool to estimate final body mass and the days on feed required to reach a certain final mass with precision and accuracy. Moreover, the dynamic model can also serve as a learning tool to illustrate practical principles of animal nutrition, nutrient requirement relationships, and body composition changes. This model holds the potential to enhance livestock management practices and assist producers in making informed decisions about feedlot lamb production.

Effect of plastic slatted flooring on growth and welfare of stall-fed kids

Male kids (36) at 6 months age, 12 each of Jamunapari, Jakhrana, Barbari breed were equally divided and allotted randomly in plastic and soil floor and reared up to 12 of age through April to September months, fed ad lib. roughage, green fodder and concentrate to meet nutrient requirements for optimum growth. Body weight was recorded fortnightly, physiological responses were recorded twice and blood sampling at 60th and 120th day of trial. The weight gain and ADG on plastic floor was similar as compared to soil floor. Kids were equally comfortable on both floors except RR; however, increased RR on plastic floor did not affect the weight gain in kids. Plasma AST and ALT enzymes, total protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglycerides level differed non-significantly in kids reared on both plastic and soil floor indicating the suitability of plastic floor in goat shelters in semi-arid conditions.