Indian Journal of Animal Research

The experiment was conducted to study the performance of Kenguri ram lambs in two different production systems in an organized farm in Koppal district of Karnataka. Sixty weaned Kenguriram lambs of uniform body weight and morphological characteristics were selected and randomly allocated to two rearing systems (R₁ and R₂) of thirty each. The lambs of R₁ were considered as control group, they were on grazing for 8 hours daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and fed paddy straw during night hours. The lambs of R₂ were reared in intensive system and fed commercial concentrated feed (IS. 5569. 1970) (17% DCP and 70% TDN) from three to nine months. The animals were provided concentrate feed based on their age. The green grass like Congo signal, hybrid Napier and paddy straw were also provided ad libitum along with clean, potable drinking water in the stall. The comparative economics of both the groups was worked out by comparing the expenditure incurred and returns obtained from the selling of lambs. The average live weight obtained in R₂ was significantly higher (p< 0.01) than R₁. The respective output price, net profit and cost-benefit ratio was higher in R₂ compared to R₁. Thus the Kenguri lambs can be reared in intensive system with better income in semi-arid conditions of Karnataka.