Performance of growing-fattening lambs fed whole cotton seed

Abstract

Effects of diets containing increasing levels of whole cotton seed (WCS) on feed intake, liveweight gain, feed conversion, feeding margin and carcass characteristics were studied. Diets contained 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30% WCS and were fed ad libitum to growing lambs for 54 days. All diets were approximately isonitrogenous (163–186 g crude protein kg−1 dry matter) and isocaloric (19–20 MJ gross energy kg−1 of dry matter). During the first 28 days, four groups of 10 Karagouniko male lambs with initial liveweights of approximately 17·6 kg were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15% WCS and then, for the next 26 days, diets containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% WCS, respectively. Lambs fed the 15–30% WCS diet ingested about 20 mg kg liveweight−1 day−1 of free gossypol. At 54 days and liveweights of approximately 34·7 kg, five lambs from each treatment were slaughtered and carcass data were collected. There were significant differences in feed intake, liveweight gain, cooler shrink, rumen contents, intestinal fat and liver weight among the lambs fed these diets. Cooler shrink and intestinal fat, and perirenal fat and the combined weight of intestinal and perirenal fat, were significantly (P < 0·05) correlated. Pelleting of the WCS diets reduced the concentration of free gossypol in these diets. It was concluded that WCS was satisfactory as a feed ingredient for growing sheep and can be incorporated into ruminant diets as a source of energy and protein. No indication of gossypol toxicity was detected. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry

Gossypol as undesirable substance in animal feed - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain

“…Male lambs (about 48 days old) were fed for 28 days isocaloric and protein balanced diets with 0, 5, 10 or 20 % whole cottonseed (2.88 g/kg of free gossypol), and for another 26 days diets containing 0, 10, 20 or 30 % of the same whole cottonseeds, respectively (corresponding to exposures of 0, 6.0, 12.5 and 20 mg free gossypol/kg b.w. per day) (Kandylis et al, 1998;Nikokyris et al, 1999). The daily weight gain and the amount of intestinal fat were significantly increased in lambs fed the two highest dosage levels.…”

Effect of Supplementation of Lambs with Whole Cottonseed: Impact on Serum Biomarkers and Infection by Gastrointestinal Parasites under Field Conditions

“…It combines high energy with high proportion of protein and effective fiber for ruminant supplementation [ 7 , 8 ]. It has been described as a satisfactory feed ingredient in growing sheep [ 9 ] and can modulate the immune system [ 10 ].…”

Grão de soja na alimentação de cordeiros: desempenho, características da carcaça e digestibilidade dos nutrientes

“…Vários trabalhos que avaliaram teores e fontes de gordura também não verificaram alterações nas características de carcaça. Kandylis;Nikokyris e Deligiannis (1998) avaliaram teores crescentes (5,10,15, 20 e 30%) de caroço de algodão na ração de cordeiros Karagouniko abatidos aos 30 kg de PV e 102 dias de idade, e não observaram diferença entre os tratamentos sobre os RCQ e RCF, os quais apresentaram as médias de 48,2 e 46,7% respectivamente. Gibbs et al (2005) utilizaram teores crescentes (0; 2,5 e 5%) de grão de cânhamo como fonte de gordura na ração de novilhos, e não observaram diferença na QR, AOL e EG.…”