EVALUACIÓN DE ALIMENTOS INTEGRALES PARA EL ENGORDE INTENSIVO DE OVINOS Evaluation of Complete Feeds for Intensive Fattening Lambs

An evaluation of 4 commercial concentrates for intensive fattening of sheep was conducted in Mexico. Starch content was determined and protein digestible in small intestine (PDI) fractions were estimated. Twenty male sheep (criollo x Suffolk) with initial weight 25.28 ± 5.7 kg were allotted in individual crates to evaluate dry matter intake (DMI), weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FC), during 45 days. Feed (treatments) evaluated were: T1=Albapesa; T2=Purina; T3=Union Tepexpan; and T4=Hacienda. No differences were found (P>0.05) in DMI g/d (T1 1316; T2 1201; T3, 1124; T4 1093), AGD g/d (T1 260; T2 216; T3 285; T4 202), FC (T1 5.05; T2 5.56; T3 3.94; T4 5.39). Estimation of gain based on in situ DM digestion and NRC equations allow the adequate prediction of sheep performance (r =0.79). Despite of the lack of difference in performance, feed costs and economic benefits were different.