Performance of confined sheep fed different diets

The performance and economical viability of using different diets in sheep termination were evaluated. Twenty rams aging seven-month old and averaging initial live body weight of 25kg were used. The experimental period lasted 60 days, with seven adaptation and 53 for body weight evaluation, and feed and leftover sampling. A completely randomized design with four treatments and five repetitions was used. The treatments included: corn + soybean + Tifton 85 hay (DR), corn + soybean + cashew + Tifton 85 hay (DC), corn + soybean + passion fruit + Tifton 85 hay (DM), and corn and cob meal (MDPS) + Tifton 85 hay + leucaena hay (DL). Treatment affected (P<0.05) intakes of dry matter (CMS), crude protein (CPB), and neutral detergent fiber (CFDN). Average body weight gains (g) were 171.60, 218.80, 217.20, and 187.00 for the treatments DR, DC, DM, and DL, respectively. Lower CMS, CPB, and CFDN were observed for DL. There was no effect of diets on the hot and cold carcass yields. Economical analysis indicated liquid profits of R$ -20.40, R$ 44.77, R$ 31.41, and 39.10 and return ratios of 12.4%, 31.8%, 20.6%, and 32.8% for DR, DC, DM, and DL, respectively.