Volatile Fatty Acid Rations for Growing Lambs

Abstract

Rations containing casein and cerelose in combination with salts of volatile fatty acids were not satisfactory for 55-lb. lambs which had been receiving roughage. A new ration was evolved, containing soy protein, starch, sucrose and volatile fatty acid salts, which gave adequate feed intakes and normal gains. Such rations with salts of volatile fatty acids as a major energy source produced average daily gains that were equal to, or better than, those with dehydrated corn cobs. Rations containing free volatile fatty acids were not consumed as readily as those containing salts of volatile fatty acids. Various ratios of acetic, propionic and butyric acids fed as their salts produced equal gains.