The effect on carcass characteristics of different silage types used in the rations of fattening lambs

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects on carcass characteristics of lambs fed with dif-ferent silage types(corn silage, sunflower silage and their mixtures) and their mixtures at different levels. In the study, rumen volatile fatty acids levels and rumen pH of the lambs used in the experiment were determined at the beginning and end of fattening. For corn silage and sunflower silages, aerobic stability and lactic acid bacteria and yeast-mold counts were determined. In the treatment, 40 Kivircik male lambs aged 2.5-3 months were used as animal material. Lambs were divided into 5 different silage groups (100% corn silage, 75% corn+25% sunflower silage, 50% corn si-lage+50% sunflower silage, 25% corn silage+75% sunflower silage, 100% sunflower silage) and it was planned to have 8 lambs in each group. The lambs were housed in individual compartments during the experiment and the animals were individually fed. Silages were given to the lambs ad libitum and in addition to silage 700, 900 and 1400 g concentrated feed were given daily between 0-21, 21-42 and 42-56 days, respectively. As a result, it can be said that feeding with different silage types does not have a significant effect on carcass characteristics of lambs, and silages prepared with corn silage, sunflower silage and their mixtures can be used successfully in lamb fattening.