Performance, Rumen Fluid pH, and Blood Metabolites of Lambs Fed on Whole or Ground Barley Grain

Fatima A Al-Lataifeh; Belal S. Obeidat; Mysaa Ata

doi:10.35516/jjas.v20i2.1146

Authors

Fatima A Al-Lataifeh Assistant Professor, Animal Production and Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8535-5518
Belal S. Obeidat Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0315-4032
Mysaa Ata Department of Animal Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0056-4239

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/jjas.v20i2.1146

Keywords:

Awassi lambs, Barley grain, Feed intake, Digestibility, Growth performance

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of feeding whole or ground barley grain on Awassi lambs. Twenty-six lambs (17.5 ± 1.28 kg) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (13 lambs/treatment) on whole or ground barley grain. Lambs were housed individually and fed twice daily for 47 days. Initial body weight (BW) was not different when the experiment was started, as well as for the BW at the end of the experiment. At the same time, total weight gain (TWG) and the average daily gain (ADG) were significantly higher for lambs fed a diet containing ground barley grain than lambs fed a diet containing whole barley grain. The digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber was greater in ground barley than in whole barley treatment. Nitrogen intake and nitrogen in the urine were similar in both lamb groups. At the same time, fecal N was greater in the group of lambs fed whole barley grain in their diet, but less amount and percentage of N retained in the body for the same group of lambs (whole grain). Blood Urea N was not affected by the dietary treatment, while blood glucose was higher in lambs fed ground barley grain compared to lambs fed a diet containing whole barley grain. In conclusion, feeding ground barley contained diet had a significant improvement in intake, digestibility, and N retention, without any negative effects on ruminal pH.

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Author Biographies

Fatima A Al-Lataifeh, Assistant Professor, Animal Production and Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University

Department of Animal Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University

Belal S. Obeidat, Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan

Mysaa Ata, Department of Animal Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University

Department of Animal Production and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Jerash University

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