The Effect of Replacing Barley Grain with Powerfeed® in Finishing Diets on the Performance, Serum Sodium and Potassium Concentration, and the Urine pH of Chall Lambs

Abstract

Thirty six male Chall lambs (four-month old and 26 ±1.5 kg body weight) were randomly assigned into four treatments (nine lambs per treatment) to study the effect of Powerfeed^® (a commercial mixture made from wheat processing by-product and wheat bran) on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, serum sodium and potassium concentration and urine pH. Lambs in control group were fed with a total mixed ration based of alfalfa and barley grain. Barley grain was replaced with Powerfeed^® (PF) at levels of 4, 8 and 12 in treatments 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The experiment lasted for 105 days comprising 15 days of adaptation period and 90 days finishing period. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, serum sodium and potassium concentration and urine pH of lambs in control group when compared to other treatments. In conclusion, Powerfeed^® can be used as partial replacement of barley grain in total mixed rations of finishing lambs.