Effect of Complete Feed or Grazing with Supplementation on Growth and Carcass Characteristics in Nellore Ram Lambs

An on farm trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore ram lambs fed either complete feed or grazing with supplementation. One hundred Nellore ram lambs were randomly divided into two equal groups viz. G1 and G2 and the experiment was lasted for 120 days. The G1 lambs were maintained on conventional grazing for 6–8 h/d and supplemented with 200 g concentrate/animal/day, while the G2 lambs were fed complete feed comprising of black gram straw and concentrate mixture (60:40 ratio) intensively. Average daily gain was higher (P <0.01) in G2 lambs (93.85 g) than in G1 lambs (80.24 g). Feed efficiency (kg feed/kg gain) was higher (P <0.01) in G2 lambs compared to G1 lambs. The pre-slaughter, empty body and hot carcass weight of lambs was similar in both groups. Dressing percentage on live weight and empty body weight was significantly (P <0.01) higher in lambs fed complete feed compared to grazing lambs. Dissected lean content was significantly (P <0.01) higher, whereas bone content was significantly (P <0.05) lower in G2 lambs compared to G1 lambs. The per cent distribution of primal cuts i.e. leg, loin, rack and fore shank and brisket was higher (P <0.01) in the G2 lambs compared to G1 lambs, while shoulder and neck were lower (P <0.01) in G2 lambs. It is concluded that the complete feed comprising of black gram straw improved growth, feed efficiency and production of quality meat economically in Nellore ram lambs.