Nutrient utilization in buck lambs with different genotypes

The paper presents the results of a comparative study of feed nutrient utilization in buck lambs with different genotypes under the same growth and management conditions. It has been established that the crossbred and purebred buck lambs have a substantial difference in digestibility of dry and organic matter, as well as protein and fiber. Differences in digestibility of nitrogen-free extractive substances are smaller, although they are significant. Hybrids born to ewes of meat-wool type are superior in terms of feed utilization efficiency in comparison to lambs born to ewes of wool-meat type. The nitrogen balance is also higher in the hybrids. The differences between purebred lambs and hybrids born to ewes of meat-wool type are as follows: hybrids with the Romney Marsh breed – 1.16 g, hybrids with the Kuibyshev breed – 0.1 g. A similar trend is observed for the balance of calcium and phosphorus.