COMPLEX INDEX NUMBER IN ASSESSING THE EFFICIENCY OF USING STARTER RATION FEED CONCENTRATES FOR YOUNG SHEEP

Abstract

The research was carried out with the aim of developing new feeding programs for basic nutrients for lambs up to 4 months of age of the meat and wool type using starter ration feed concentrates enriched with protein, carbohydrate and mineral feed additives from the processing industries of the agro-industrial complex. The research was carried out at the agricultural production co-operative breeding farm “Vostok” in the Stavropol Territory. Recipes have been developed for starter ration feed concentrates for young sheep, which are enriched with the prebiotic carbohydrate and mineral feed additive “LaktuVet” in the amount of 3,0% of the feed concentrate mass, the high-protein additive “Organic” (5,0%) and their combinations in the amount of 3,0 and 5,0%. Evaluation of the complex index number (CIN) based on the generalized Harrington function confirmed our conclusions on the development of starter ration feed concentrate recipes and their use in diets of young rams. The inclusion of the prebiotic “LaktuVet” and the feed additive “Organic” in the starter ration feed concentrate improved the palatability of roughage by 21,3; 46,8 and 41,5% with a decrease in the consumption of concentrated feed by 7,4; 8,5 and 20,2%, respectively. This contributed to a greater supply of nutrients to the animals’ bodies: dry matter – by 6,2 – 18,7%, metabolic energy – 8.5 – 13.3; crude and digestible protein, respectively by 20,5 – 22,6 and 19,9 – 21,2%. The live weight of young rams at 4 months of age was 40,6 – 43,3 kg with an average daily gain of 292 – 317 g and the level of profitability increased by 2,76 – 7,83%.