Influence of dietary rumen inert lipids on growth and carcass characteristics in Deccani sheep

Deccani lambs (24; 4 m old of 11.6 ± 0.2 kg BW), randomly divided into four equal groups were offered complete iso-nitrogenous diets with 0 (T₁), 5 (T₂), 10 (T₃) and 15 (T₄) per cent calcium soap of red palm oil for 120 days to study the effect of supplementation of protected fat on growth and carcass characteristics. DM intake in T₄ group was depressed (P<0.05) as compared to other groups, resulting in significantly (P<0.05) low body weight gain in T₁ group. The average daily gain was statistically comparable in other (T₁ to T₃) groups. The feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and carcass characteristics were statistically comparable in all the groups but these parameters were best in T₂ diet supplemented with 5% protected fat. The feed cost/kg gain was comparable in T_l to T₃ groups but was significantly (P<0.05) high in T₄ group. It was concluded that supplementation of calcium soap of red palm oil at 5% level improved the productive performance of Deccani lambs.