Effect of Different Mixture of Molasses and Atella on Growth Responses of Two Year Old Arsi-Bale Rams

Abstract

The study was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center on two years old Arsi-Bale rams. Twenty four rams were purchased from the Maki, Batu and Bulbula markets. The study was carried out to evaluate   the effects of feeding different mixture of molasses and atella on growth responses of two years old Arsi-Bale rams. Four feeding treatments  (T₁ = Grazing  + 10% molasses + 40% wheat bran + 50% noug seed cake, T₂ = Grazing + 30% atella + 50% wheat bran + 20% noug seed cake, T₃ = Grazing + 10% molasses + 40% atella + 25% wheat bran + 25% noug seed cake and T₄ = Grazing + 65% wheat bran + 35% noug seed cake) were evaluated during the fattening period. Complete Randomized Block Design was implemented to assign six rams to each of the four treatments. Average daily live weight gains of 81.9, 76.6, 59 and 91.6 grams were recorded for rams in treatments one, two, three and four, respectively. Significant differences in final body weight, total weight gain and average daily weight gains were observed between treatments three and four.  With respect to the levels of atella in the rations, comparatively, higher level resulted in lower growth rate of the rams than the lower level.  The partial budget analysis indicated positive gross margins for all treatment groups, with higher values for treatment four and lower values for treatment two. Therefore, fatteners can use one of the feed mixtures for two years old Arsi-Bale rams based on the accessibility and availability of the ingredients to be used to formulate the rations.

Keywords: Molasses atella mixture, Arsi-Bale rams, Sheep fattening

DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/90-02

Publication date:September 30^th 2019