Effects of Acacia Albida leaf Supplementation on Post-Weaning Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Young Arab Lambs

Acacia Albida leaf supplementation on post-weaning growth performance and carcass characteristics of Arabian lambs was conducted from May 2020 to August 2021 at the small ruminant station of the Institut de Recherche en Élevage pour le Développement (IRED) in N’Djaména, Chad. Thirty-six Arabian lambs (36) aged 3 months were divided into groups 3 of 13 lambs each. The supplemented group received 400g and 600g of Acacia Albida leaves/animal/d in addition to the dominant forage, while the control group received only the dominant forage. Lamb weight growth was assessed every 7 days. The results of this study showed that from weaning to 24 weeks, the weight of animals fed a ration containing 600g of Acacia Albida leaves was significantly higher than that of animals fed other levels of supplementation. On the other hand, supplementing rations with 400g of Acacia Albida leaves significantly increased Daily weight gain (DWG) and total weight gain (TWG). Supplementation had no significant effect on meat weight, bone weight, commercial and conventional carcass yield. On the other hand, the slaughter weight of animals from supplemented groups was significantly higher than that of animals from unsupplemented group. Lambs fed 400g of Acacia Albida leaves had significantly higher conventional and commercial carcasses than those fed the other supplementation levels (11.65±0.42 and 9.10±0.41). 400g and 600g of Acacia Albida leaves can be used with good results as a protein supplement in post-weaning lambs.

Keywords: Acacia Albida, Carcass, Lamb, Meat, Post-Weaning Growth, Supplementation.