Effects of sodium bicarbonate and effective fiber in diets containing high level of fermented cassava peel on ruminal fermentation and productive performances of finishing lamb

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of sodium bicarbonate and effective fiber in finishing lamb diets that using high level of cassava peel as an energy and fiber sources. Sixteen crossbreed lambs (Santa In?s x Dorper x Native) were allotted into a 2x2 factorial in randomized complete block design (RCBD). Dietary treatments were followed T1) 0% rice straw (RS) + 0% NaHCO 3 , 2) 0% RS + 1.5% NaHCO 3 , 3) 10% RS + 0% NaHCO 3 and 4) 10% RS + 1.5% NaHCO 3 . Total mixed ration (TMR) was provided Ad libitum to all treatments. The results showed that dry matter intake and dry matter intake per body live weight were significantly higher in T1 and T2 than those T3 and T4 (P<0.05), body weight change in T2 were significantly higher than those T3 and T4 (P<0.05) and average daily gain in T2 were trend to be higher than those T3 and T4 (P<0.1). In addition, digestibilities of dry matter, crude protein and energy of T1 and T2 were significantly higher than those T3 and T4 (P<0.05) and ADF digestibility of T2 was significantly higher than those T3 and T4 (P<0.05). However, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per gain, ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid components were not significantly different among treatments (P>0.05). Therefore, the results of experiment suggested that using fermented cassava peel at 50% DM in TMR of finishing lamb with 1.5% NaHCO 3 as buffer source increased the productive performances.