Effect of forage to concentrate ratio on growth performance and feeding behavior of Thalli lambs

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of forage to concentrate ratio (F:C) on growth performance and feeding behavior of Thalli lambs. For this purpose, twenty-one male Thalli lambs with initial live body weight (26.30 ± 3.02 kg) were selected and divided into three experimental groups in a randomized complete block design. The experimental duration was 12 weeks. The experimental diets were F:C (100:0), F:C (80:20), and F:C (60:40). Alfalfa hay was used as forage source. Lambs fed F:C (60:40) and F:C (80:20) diets showed higher dry matter intake (DMI), total dry matter intake (TDMI), organic matter intake (OMI), weight gain, growth rate, better feed conversion ratio, and feed efficiency as compared to the lambs fed F:C (100:0) (P < 0.05). The results also showed that crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), and total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake were maximum in F:C (60:40)-fed lambs (P < 0.05). However, higher crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intakes were seen in the F:C (100:0)-fed lambs (P < 0.05). The results of nutrient digestibilities revealed the improved OM, DM, CP, and ADF digestibilities in lambs fed with F:C (60:40) and F:C (80:20) (P < 0.05). The digestibility of NDF and CF were not affected by the all-dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Behavior results explored that eating time, and chewing time was higher in F:C (100:0)-fed lambs (P < 0.05), while standing time, lying time, and abnormal behavior were increased in lambs fed with F:C (60:40) and F:C (80:20) (P < 0.05). Based on the results, it is concluded that the addition of concentrate at 20% and 40% improves growth performance and increases DMI, TDMI, OMI, and nutrient digestibility. However, standing time, lying time, and abnormal behavior increase by feeding of the 20% and 40% concentrate. Therefore, it is suggested that the concentrate should be supplied in restricted amounts to improve lambs' welfare and normal behavior without influencing their performance.