Effect of Isobutyrate Supplementation on Growth and Dry Matter Intake in Sheep

Ten crossbred iambs (4–5 months; 12.10 kg), divided into two groups of five each, were fed with total mixed ration comprising 45 per cent ragi straw and 55 per cent concentrate mixture. Treatment group received sodium isobutyrate @ 0.4g/kg B.Wt. After 12 weeks of experimental feeding the mean body weight gain of 5.30 kg and 6.90 kg were recorded in control and treatment group respectively. The feed conversion ratio in the control and treatment groups was 9.32 and 7.51, respectively. The average dry matter intake was 555.86±26.28 and 594.25±29.04g/head 7 day in the two respective groups. The increase in the body weight, feed conversion ratio and dryrnatter intake were observed in the treatment group than in control group due to the addition of Isobutyric acid in the ration. There was a signitlcant difference (p<0.05) between the control and treatment group in the ADF digestibility. However, N retention between the groups remained similar.