PRODUCTIVE RESPONSE OF LAMBS FED WITH MAIZE (Zea mays L.) ENSILAGE OR FOUNTAINGRASS (Pennisetum spp. Schum.) ENSILAGE AFTER WEANING

Abstract

The productive response of post-weaning lambs fed with maize (Zea mays L.) ensilage without corncob (EM) or fountaingrass (Pennisetum spp. Schum.) (EMA), plus a raw protein (PC) complement at 16 %, was evaluated. Ten full male lambs of ages 8 to 10 months were used, Zebu X European Swiss and Charolais breed, with initial live weight of 183±30 kg, distributed randomly in a completely randomized design with five repetitions per treatment. The lambs were housed in two 9X4 m pens with food and water troughs, and an adaptation period of 14 days was given; data collection began on day 15. Two treatments were evaluated: T1: free access EM+16 % PC complement; and T2: free access EMA+16 % PC complement. The variables were dry matter consumption (CMS), daily weight gain (GDP), food conversion (CA), ensilage consumption (CE), and meal consumption (CB). There were no differences in GDP (p>0.05), while total CMS, CA and CMS of ensilage was higher (p<0.05) in lambs that consumed EMA. The results show that the productive response in post-weaning lambs improves when they are fed based on corncob-free EM.