Growth of store lambs on cereal-based diets with protein or urea

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted on the fattening of 8- to 10-month-old lambs weighing about 40 to 55 kg live weight, using diets based on whole barley sprayed with a solution of urea and minerals or supplemented with a pelleted fish-protein concentrate.In one experiment the lambs had been adapted to indoor conditions but had been subjected to low levels of nutrition. In the other experiment the lambs were not previously adapted to indoor conditions. The lambs in the first experiment suffered no growth check while the lambs taken inside did not gain in weight for 2 to 3 weeks. In both experiments the lambs showed a short term or compensatory growth response to protein after which there were no differences between lambs receiving fish-protein supplements or urea-fortified grain.The results are discussed in relation to response to protein and urea and the method of incorporating urea and minerals as solubles in whole grain is discussed.