Effects of Fresh, Ensiled and Dried Alfalfa on Performance, Carcass and Organoleptic Characteristics in Lambs

Abstract

The effects of fresh, ensiled and dried alfalfa on performance, carcass and organoleptic characteristics of lamb were investigated in this study. For this purpose, a total of 40 Akkaraman lambs at the age of 4 months and averaging 21 kg of body weight were used. All diets were prepared as isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The alfalfa form using in rations were composed the experimental group. The experimental groups were fed with wheat straw as roughage was Control group (K-Group) or fed with fresh alfalfa as roughage was YT group, ensiled alfalfa was YS group and dried alfalfa was YK group. The highest dry matter intake (P<0.001) and daily weight gain (P<0.01) were found in lambs fed with dried alfalfa (YK group). Feed efficiency ratios in K, YT, YS and YK groups were 5.85, 7.78, 6.21 and 5.91, respectively (P<0.01). The highest hot (P<0.001) and cold (P<0.05) carcass yields were detected in YK group. Smelling parameter was the unique parameter that was determined to be statistically important among all groups (P<0.05), and the other parameters of sensorial analysis were not found statistically important (P>0.05). In conclusion, consumption of dried alfalfa as roughage instead of straw in lambs were improved the dry matter intake, daily weight gain and carcass characteristics.