The effect of using silages prepared from different proportions of peanut fodder and whole crop maize on the performance and blood parameters of Moghani male lambs

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of replacing different levels
of peanut silage with corn silage and the effects of this replacement on performance and blood
parameters of Moghani lambs.
Materials & Methods: In this research, peanut fodder was replaced with corn silage in
proportions of 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% and silage was prepared for four weeks. A number
of 30 Moghani male lambs with an average weight of 30 kg were selected and fed with
experimental diets based on completely randomize design in separate locations in 5 treatments and
each treatment with 6 repetitions for 70 days. One day before the beginning of the experimental
period and one day before the end of the experimental period, blood sample was drawn through
the jugular vein of the lambs.
Result: The results of this research show that replacing 25% of peanut fodder with a treatment
containing ensiled corn fodder had no significant effect on the average daily weight gain and the
final weight of lambs compared to the control treatment, but with the increase in the proportion of
peanut fodder in the silage, the daily weight gain and as a result, the final weight decreased
significantly (P<0.0001). Although no significant difference was observed in terms of dry matter
consumption between the experimental treatments, but the feed conversion ratio significantly
affected by the experimental treatments (P<0.0001). The most appropriate feed conversion ratio
was related to the control treatment and the treatment containing 25% peanut fodder and with the
increase of the replacement level of peanut fodder from 25%, the feed conversion ratio increased
significantly. Regarding the tested blood parameters, no significant difference was observed in
terms of albumin and cholesterol between the experimental treatments, but total protein (P<0.05),
triglyceride (P<0.0001) and blood glucose (P<0.0001) were significantly affected by the
experimental treatments. The complete replacement of peanut fodder silage instead of corn silage
caused a significant drop in the blood glucose of the lambs, while the lowest amount of blood
protein was observed in the control treatment.
Conclusion: In general, it seems that peanut fodder silage can be substituted for corn silage at the
level of 25% in the diet of fattening lambs without any negative effect on performance and blood
parameters. However, higher levels, especially silage containing 100% peanut fodder, cause a
decrease in the performance of the animals.