Implications of low fiber levels in finishing lambs on performance, health, rumen, and carcass parameters

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of NDF in high-concentrate diets on performance and aspects ruminal, blood, and carcass parameters of finishing lambs. Twenty-four lambs, with initial BW of 24 ± 3 kg, were randomly divided into individual pens, in a completely randomized design, comprising three treatments with eight repetitions each. The treatments consisted of dietary levels of 15%, 20%, and 25% of NDF, based on DM. The diets were composed of corn, soybean meal, minerals, and corn silage and were offered twice a day, with daily control of what was offered and refused, to determine dry matter intake (DMI). The animals were weighed weekly and slaughtered after 50 days of confinement. Performance evaluations, blood parameters, carcass, and ruminal parameters were evaluated. Lambs fed with lower dietary fiber had better carcass yield (P < 0.005). Blood count, blood biochemical parameters, rumen short-chain fatty acid production and protozoan population were not affected by the dietary NDF level. It was concluded that in high-concentrate diets with 15% NDF resulting in better weight gain of the animals in the confinement, good carcass yields without the animal having altered health and ruminal parameters.