1Department of Animal Nutrition, SVVU, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
2Department of Livestock Farm Complex, SVVU, NTR College of Veterinary Science, Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India
* Corresponding author: K Raja Kishore; E-mali: dr_rajakishore@yahoo.co.in
Online Published on 22 September, 2022.
A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding concentrate mixture containing varying levels of cashew nut kernel meal (CNKM) on growth performance and carcass characteristics in ram lambs. In a completely randomized design, 18 ram lambs were divided into 3 equal groups of six each. They were allotted in to three dietary treatments (T1 to T3) comprising of green fodder viz., Super Napier and concentrate mixture (20% CP) containing CNKM at 0, 10 and 20%, respectively. The body weight gain and average daily gain increased (P<0.05) linearly with increasing level of CNKM in concentrate mixtures from T1 to T3, while the feed cost per kg weight gain decreased by ₹ 1.46 in T2 and ₹ 19.81 in T3 as compared to control. Carcass studies in ram lambs fed concentrate mixtures had no effect (P>0.05) on various carcass parameters expressed as percentage of hot carcass weight. No significant differences were observed in the proportion of whole sale cuts (% carcass weight) and yield of visceral organs (% of pre slaughter weight) among the different treatments. It is concluded that CNKM can be included up to 20 % in the concentrate mixture for improved body weight gain, feed efficiency and economical meat production in ram lambs.
• Cashew nut kernel meal (CNKM) significantly improved weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency in ram lambs
• CNKM affected the yield of quality carcass parameters economically in ram lambs.
Carcass characteristics, Cashew nut kernel meal, Growth performance, Ram lambs
