Effects of supplementation with different amounts of malic acid to Tuj lambs diets on fattening performance, rumen parameters and digestibility

In this study, the effects of concentrates including 0, 3 or 6 g/kg of malic acid on food intake, growth performance, food efficiency, nutrient digestibility and several rumen metabolite contents in Tuj lambs were analyzed. After a 15 days long adaptation period, a total of 15 male Tuj lambs, 3.5-4 months old, were randomly into 3 equal groups according to the malate contents (0, 3 or 6 g/kg) added to concentrates for 50 days. Neither the forage (hay meadow), concentrate, dry matter intakes, body weights and weight gains nor food efficiency were significantly modified in the supplemented lambs. In addition, no significant difference in the nutrient digestibility and in some rumen metabolite (rumen pH, ammonia and volatile fatty acids) concentrations were recorded between supplemented and controls lambs. It was concluded that malate can be included in rations for lambs up to 6 g/kg.