Effects of Organic Acid and Bacterial Direct-Feed Microbial on Fattening Performance of Kivircik-Male Yearling Lambs

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of addition of organic acid (OA), (SAL CURB ^® ) and/or direct-feed microbial (DFM), (Cylactin ^® ) LBC ME 10) to the rations of Kivircik male-yearling lambs on body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, some blood metabolites, and the levels of serum minerals. A group of sixty 1-year old male lambs of Kivircik Breed were used. The animals were divided in to 4 groups of 15 lambs each. The groups were assigned as control, organic acid, direct-feed microbial, and direct-feed microbial plus organic acid. A commercial direct-feed microbial product and organic acid mix were used as feed treatment supplements. The average daily gain means of the lambs supplemented with organic acid plus direct-feed microbials was found significantly higher than that of control group lambs. Significant differences in total proteins, cholesterol, total lipids, and serum Zn levels were detected among the groups. As a result, addition of organic acid and/or direct-feed microbial to the ration of yearling Kivircik male lambs resulted in an increased body weight gain (p<0.05). In addition, the dietary supplement of organic acid to the lambs caused a decrease in the serum cholesterol level while direct-feed microbial addition caused an increase in the serum Zn level (p< 0.05).