Growth performance, nutrient intake, and microbial protein synthesis of Indonesian male sheep fed diets containing brewer residue

Abstract

Industrial brewing companies produce a high quantity of solid residue rich in nutrient contents that can be utilized as a feed ingredient for fattening sheep.This study aimed to evaluate the optimal proportion between rice bran and brewer residue in Indonesian local sheep. The study was designed as a completely randomized block design with a basal diet consisted of 60% forage and 40% concentrate. In total, 15 male sheep were randomly allocated to receive one of three dietary treatments with five replicates in each (P1 = 70% rice bran + 30% brewer residue; P2 = 50% rice bran + 50% brewer residue; and P3 = 30% rice bran + 70% brewer residue). The parameters observed included nutrient intake, body weight gain, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and NH 3 concentration. The results showed that brewer residue did not affect nutrient intakes, average daily gain (ADG), rumen pH, and microbial protein synthesis. However, replacing rice bran with 50% and 70% (inclusion rate of 19% and 29% in the diets, respectively) of brewer residue increased dry matter digestibility and NH 3 concentration in the rumen. To conclude, brewer residue can be used up to 29% to replace 70% rice bran used in the diets of Indonesian male local sheep without negatively affected sheep's performance.