EFFECT OF FEEDING AN ‘ANIMAL PROTEIN FACTOR’ CONCENTRATE TO YOUNG LAMBS

Abstract

The feeding of an animal protein factor supplement to young lambs decreased growth and feed consumption during the post-suckling period. Due, probably, to the protective effect of the maternal milk, growth of lambs fed an A.P.F. supplement was not affected during the suckling period, though feed consumption of this group was reduced. The A.P.F supplemented lambs produced wool fibers of slightly shorter length and slightly smaller diameters than non A.P.F supplemented lambs. The A.P.F. supplement produced significantly lower levels of vitamin Bl2 in the blood of the lambs at both weaning time and during the feeding period following weaning. No differences were observed in the tissue levels of vitamin B12 of the 2 groups of lambs.