Growth Performance of Ram Lambs Fed Different Roughage Based Total Mixed Rations

A 120 day trial was conducted on 24 growing ram lambs divided into four equal groups to study the effect of feeding different roughage based Total Mixed Rations (TMRs) on growth performance. The Total Mixed Rations (TMRs) contained different roughage source viz. maize stover (R-1), groundnut haulms (R-2), black gram straw (R-3), jowar stover (R-4) and concentrate mixture in 60:40 ratio, respectively. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the groups. The total weight gain (kg) was 8.85, 10.77, 9.70 and 8.93 in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 groups, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P < 0.01) and feed efficiency (kg feed per kg gain) was lower (P < 0.01) in R-2 group compared to other groups. The cost of production (Rs/kg gain) was lowest (P < 0.01) in R-2 group compared to other groups. It was concluded that groundnut haulms is superior roughage source in total mixed rations for growing ram lambs compared to maize stover, black gram straw and jowar stover.