The effects of compensatory growth on weaned lamb fattening performances and feed choice

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of feeding level and initial live weight on fattening performance and diet preferences of lambs. 24 Çukurova meat lambs (3/8 Rambouillet, 3/8 Ile de France, 1/8 Awassi and 1/8 Chios crossbred) were used in the study. Lambs were allocated light and heavy weight groups and they were fed in two groups as restricted and ad libitum during 4 week retardation period. After retardation period, all groups were allowed to cafeteria feeding with barley, cotton seed meal, and wheat bran and alfalfa hay simultaneously and freely for 7 weeks as realimentation period. Feeding level affected daily gain and restricted feeding decreased daily gain as expected (P<0.05). However there was no compensatory growth during realimentation period. Restricted and light lambs consumed less feed than others during realimentation periods (P<0.05). During realimentation period, barley was preferred predominantly (67.5%) by lambs and wheat bran, cotton seed meal and alfalfa hay preferences were 24.22%, 4.01% and 4.47% respectively. Previous feeding level affected diet preferences (P<0.05) during realimentation. Restricted fed lambs preferred more barley (64.45% vs. 70.0%) and less wheat bran (27.0 vs. 21.5%) than lambs fed ad libitum. Additionally lambs having light weight consumed less amount of bran (18.0% vs. 25.0%) and high amount of cotton seed meal (5.6% vs. 2.6%) (P<0.05) due to their high energy and protein need. In conclusion, there was no compensatory growth in lambs having growth retardation. This could be related to lamb weight and nature of choice feeding not to allow obligatory intake of feeds and/or nutrients