Effects of Treated Wheat Straw with Exogenous Fibre-Degrading Enzymes on Wool Characteristics of Ewe Lambs

Twenty Naieni breed replacement ewe lambs were used to determine the substitution effects of treated wheat straw with exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes for alfalfa hay on wool characteristics. Five treatment diets were included: 1) control (100% alfalfa hay without wheat straw), 2) 10% enzyme treated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay, 3) 20% enzyme treated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay, 4) 30% enzyme treated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay and 5) 30% untreated wheat straw replaced for alfalfa hay. Final fleece weight, and fleece weight index; wool production per day, feed conversion to wool; final staple length, wool and hair crimp per centimeter of length, percent of heterotype, coronal, kemp, reticulate and imbricate fibers and accumulation of scales in 100 μm fiber lengths were not affected by replacing treated wheat straw for alfalfa hay, but feeding untreated wheat straw tended to decrease final fleece weight, wool production, and final staple length. Replacing 20%, and 30% treated, and 30% untreated wheat straw for alfalfa hay numerically increased mean final diameter of fiber. The results of this experiment indicated that treated wheat straw with exogenous fiber-degrading enzymes can be replaced for alfalfa hay in Naieni replacement ewe lamb diets.