Comparative performance of Awassi lambs and Black goat kids on different crude protein levels in Jordan

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different crude protein (CP) levels on the growth performance of Awassi lambs and Black goat kids. Forty lambs and 40 kids were randomly selected and allocated to separate pens of equal size for 75 days. Each group was fed one of four rations containing 12, 14, 16, or 18% CP. Final weights and gains for lambs were higher (P<0.001) than these for kids for all rations fed. No differences were obtained between lambs fed with 16 and 18% CP ration. However, both groups had higher (P<0.001) body weight and gain than lambs in other groups. Kids had higher (P<0.001) body weights and gain when fed with 16% ration. There were no significant differences among kids of other groups. Black goat kids have good potential to support red meat production in Jordan with less efficiency than Awassi lambs. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.