Change in body condition and carcass characteristics of cull ewes fed diets supplemented with rumen bypass fat

Thirty Malpura ewes (> 6 years age) distributed into three groups of 10 each were maintained on concentrate supplemented with rumen protected fat at 0 (T-1), 20 (T-2) and 40 (T-3) g kg(-1) and chick pea straw for a period of three months. Towards the end of feeding experiment a metabolism trial was conducted on five representative ewes from each treatment. Blood and rumen liquor samples were analyzed at 0 and 90 days of feeding for blood biochemical and rumen metabolites. Five representative ewes were slaughtered at the initiation of the study and all the experimental ewes were slaughtered after termination of the experiment. The gain in weight (kg) and final body condition score was higher (P < 0.05) in T-2 and T-3 as compared to T-1. The concentrate intake increased (P < 0.05) with bypass fat (RBF) supplementation. The serum glucose and population of spirotrichs and total protozoa in rumen liquour sample increased (P < 0.05) with concentrate as well as concentrate with RBF supplementation. Pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percent, loin eye area, bone percent and carcass fat improved (P < 0.05) with RBF supplementation. Composition of Longissimus dorsi muscle also revealed improvement when compared with 0 day composition. The feeding protocol also revealed higher returns by RBF supplementation. It is therefore concluded that RBF supplementation is advantageous in improving body conditions of cull ewes. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.