ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2016, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (2): 305-314.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2016.02.013

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Effects of Different Starter Supplying Ages on Growth Performance and Stomach Development of Hu Sheep Lamb

WANG Xiao-juan1,2,LIU Ting1,LI Fa-di1,2* ,LI Chong1,2,WANG Wei-min1,2,TANG De-fu1,2,LI Bao-sheng3,MA Zhi-yuan4,PAN Xiang-yu1   

  1. (1.College of Animal Science and Technology,Gansu Agricultural University,Lanzhou 730070,China;2.Sheep Breeding Biotechnology Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province,Minqin 733300,China;3.Jinchang Zhongtian Sheep Industry Limited Company,Jinchang 737100,China;4.College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology,Lanzhou University,Lanzhou 730020,China)
  • Received:2015-04-02 Online:2016-02-23 Published:2016-02-23

Abstract:

 This study aimed to investigate the effect of different starter supplying ages on growth performance and stomach development of Hu sheep lamb.Seventy-two Hu male lambs (twin,the average weight of birth (3.51±0.51)kg) were randomly divided into 2 groups with starter supplying on 7-day-old(7 d group) or 42-day-old (42 d group),respectively.Six lambs of each group were killed,sampled and measured the weight and volume of stomach and intestinal tract at the age of 14,28,42,56,70 and 84 d.The results showed that the body weight of lambs after the 42-day-old (besides 70-day-old) in 7-day-old group were significantly higher than 42-day-old group (P<0.05),the average daily gain (ADG) of lambs at the age of 21-28 d and 35-42 d in 7-day-old group were also significantly higher than 42-day-old group (P<0.05),the feed intake of lambs in each group were increased with the increasing of age.There was a difference on weight and volume of forestomach at the age of 28 or 42 d between 7- and 42-day-old groups.The weight of ruminoreticulum and associated relative weight (%,live weight),the weight of forestomach and associated relative weight (%,stomach weight) of lambs at the age of 28 d in 7-day-old group trended to be higher than 42-day-old group (0.05<P<0.1),the weight and volume of ruminoreticulum and associated relative weight (%,live weight),the weight and volume of omasum,the weight of forestomach and associated relative weight (%,live weight),the weight and volume of abomasum and associated relative weight (%,live weight) of lambs at the age of 42 d in 7-day-old group were significantly higher than 42-day-old group (P<0.05).The starter supplying could stimulate the growth performance and development of stomach of lambs,furthermore,starter supplement at the 7-day-old was better than 42-day-old.Starter supplying at the age of 7 d with the weaning age of 35 d and starter supplying at the age of 42 d with the weaning age of 56 d were feasible.

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