The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Performance of Growing Lambs

Abstract

his study was investigated to determine the effect of zinc source either from organic or inorganic on lambs performance, blood metabolites and carcass characteristics. Fifteen local lambs (about six months old and an average body weight of 26.5± 3.1 kg) were divided into three similar groups (5 lambs each). The control group (G1) was fed the basal diet consisting of wheat straw and concentrates mixture. While, the other two tested groups were fed the same basal diet, supplemented with 20 mg Zn/head/day as Zinc Sulphate (G2) and 20 mg Zn/head/day as Zinc methionine (G3). All animals of these groups were fed 60% of their requirements as concentrate mixture and the rest of other requirements were covered from wheat straw, which was given ad libitum. The experiment was extended for 6 month. The results indicated that the average daily gain (ADG) was higher (P < 0.05) in zinc sulphate and zinc methionine groups than in control group (130 and 132 gm/day vs. 99 gm/day, respectively). There were no significant differences among groups in total feed intake. Feed conversion ratio as dry matter intake/ g gain was improved in zinc methionine and zinc sulphate groups when compared with control one.However, the differences among groups were not significant. Supplementation of Zn-meth increased (P<0.05) the level of zinc in serum as compared with control and zinc sulphate groups. Also, serum cholesterol was higher (p < 0.05) in Zn treated groups than in control one. While, serum concentration of total protein, Albumin, globulin, glucose, triglycerides and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were not affected by zinc supplementation. Zn supplementation in a form of organic or inorganic had no effect on dressing percentage and carcass cuts in lambs. In conclusion zinc supplementation in form of inorganic or organic may improve lambs performance.

Effect of macro and microalgae supplementation on productive performance, some blood constitutes and economic efficiency of growing Farafra male lambs

“…These results agree with those obtained by Gaafar et al (2018) who showed that Spirulina additive resulted in significant (P<0.05) improvements in economic efficiency. Similar results were recorded by Hafez et al (2013) who found markedly positive effect on economic efficiency due to Spirulina algae supplementation into the rations of growing lambs. Moreover, with dairy goats Khalifa et al (2016) revealed that a marked improvement in economic efficiency when added 500 mg of Spirulina powder into the control diet (100.00 vs 127.27%).…”

“…Current results are consistent with the findings that recognized by Hassanien et al (2015) who worked with goats and used Spirulina algae at 0.2% of their feed intake. Likewise, Hafez et al (2013) found that blood total protein and albumin concentrations were significant higher with 0.2% Spirulina platens algae of DMI of growing lambs than those of control diet that free from algae supplement. In addition, the rest of blood parameters (globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea-N, AST and ALT) concentrations did not affect by dietary algae supplements.…”

Impact of Organic Chromium and Zinc on Growth Performance, Feed Intake, Hematological Profiles and Biochemical Indices of Growing Zaraibi Male Goats

“…Zarczynska and Krzebietke (2020) noted that it has been discovered that Cr helps ruminants to grow and convert more feed into energy. Additionally, Farghaly et al (2017) observed that the average daily gain (ADG) of the control group was lower than that of the Zn-SO4 and Zn-Met groups. Zinc sulphate and zinc methionine, when given to meals as dietary supplements, boosted lambs' average daily growth by roughly 25 and 24%, respectively, in comparison with the control group.…”