Effect of addition of seasoned flour waste on digestion, haematology and growth parameters in sheep

The study assessed the effect of seasoned flour waste as an ingredient of concentrate feed on digestion, growth, and haematology of sheep and to find ideal level of incorporation to sustain their growth. The research was conducted on 20 male sheep aged 6 to 8 months and weighed 14.91±1.76 kg. A completely randomised block design was followed with five treatment levels of seasoned flour waste incorporated into sheep feed (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%). Seasoned flour waste qualified as an energy source with a TDN level of 64.03%. The addition of seasoned flour waste as a source of carbohydrates in sheep feed at a 20% level (equal to 12.8% of the total ration) significantly increased the consumption of both dry and organic matter, except crude fibre, and also considerably improved the digestion of nitrogen-free extract. Furthermore, adding 12.8% seasoned flour waste in the total sheep feed did not alter the haematology and urea level but increased sheep’s average daily weight gain from 80.00 to 121.5 g/ day. The feed conversion ratio was improved from 8.24 to 6.15 kg feed/kg. It could be concluded that, inclusion of seasoned flour waste in the diet improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio without affecting the blood profile in sheep. Seasoned flour waste helped in enhancing the feed efficiency of fattening sheep, reducing the cost : growth calculation and increasing the income over feed cost.