Performance and economics of kenguri ram lambs under different rearing systems

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to study the performance of Kenguri ram lambs in two different production systems in an organized farm in Koppal district of Karnataka. Sixty weaned Kenguri ram lambs of uniform body weight and morphological characteristics were selected and randomly allocated to two rearing systems (R 1 and R 2 ) of thirty each. The lambs of R 1 were considered as control group, they were on grazing for 8 hours daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm and fed paddy straw during night hours. The lambs of R 2 were reared in intensive system and fed commercial concentrated feed (IS. 5569. 1970) (17% DCP and 70% TDN) from three to nine months. The animals were provided concentrate feed based on their age. The green grass like Congo signal, hybrid Napier and paddy straw were also provided ad libitum along with clean, potable drinking water in the stall. The comparative economics of both the groups was worked out by comparing the expenditure incurred and returns obtained from the selling of lambs. The average live weight obtained in R 2 was significantly higher (p< 0.01) than R 1 . The respective output price, net profit and cost-benefit ratio was higher in R 2 compared to R 1 . Thus the Kenguri lambs can be reared in intensive system with better income in semi-arid conditions of Karnataka.