Effect of intensive stall feeding of three different planes of nutrition on growth pattern of Muzaffarnagari lambs and its economics under adverse agro-climatic conditions of Ladakh

Abstract

Intensive stall feeding of 3 different rations was tried on 9 Muzzafarnagri lambs of 3 months of age for 3 months ie. 3 to 6 months of age to see the growth pattern and economics of ration in cold desert highaltitudc conditions of Ladakh. It was found that there was a higher weight gain in male lambs (11.96 kg) than the female Iambs (7.2 kg). One male lamb attained the body weight of 30.4 kg ic. a gain of almost 19 kg in 3 months, which is exception, but it indicates that this breed has the capability to attain higher weight gain with only 3 months offeeding to develop in to an economically viable broiler sheep. It is also observed from the above study that the concentrate ration @ of 125 g/animal/day (costing Rs 0.90/ duy with composition of MOC (mtlstard oil-cake)-20%. barley-38%, wheat bran-40%, mineral mixture-!% and salt-1%). and hay lucerne @ 1/2 kg/animal/day (costing Rs 4.12/ day). and total expenditure of Rs 5.02/animal/day, was the cheapest and quite adequate to mainlain reasonable growth for Muzaflarnagri lambs in cold desert high altitude conditions.