Growth and nutrient utilization in lambs as influenced by dietary Monensin

Abstract

Twelve grazing Malpura lambs divided randomly into three groups of 4 each viz. T1, T2 and T3 were fed concentrate mixtures containing 0,11 and 22 mg monensin per kg, respectively. The daily intake of concentrate mixture reduced linearly (P<0.01) with increase in the level of monensin but roughage DM intake was significantly higher (P<0.01) in T2 and T3 groupss The digestibility of nutrients was comparable in 3 groups except for DM which waa ssgnificantly (P<0.01) higher in experimental groups. The N retention was maximum (P<0.01) in T3 group followed by T2 and T1 The body weight gain and body measurements of the lambs fed monensin diets were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those in control. This reflected that the monensin supplementation improved growth and feed efficiency in the lambs.