doi:10.5455/vetworld.2013.209-213

Aim: The main intension of this research work is to develop a feeding system for growing Nellore ram lambs by feeding maize silage based rations supplemented with concentrate and or legume hay at certain levels to investigate the growth rate. Materials and Methods: Experimental animals (Nellore ram lambs) were purchased from local sandy and maize silage was prepared at village by using silos (9''L X 9''W X 8''D) and concentrate mixture was prepared at feed mill located at department by using locally available ingredients. Animals were housed in well ventilated sheds and were dewormed and vaccinated against diseases. Fortnightly body weights were taken by using spring balance and calculated the total weight gain and ADG. The experimental animals were divided into seven groups based on their body weight to contain six in each and were fed intensively for five months with sole maize silage (R-I), silage + concentrate at 0.5 per cent body weight (R-II), silage + concentrate at 1.0 per cent body weight (R-III), silage + concentrate at 1.5 per cent body weight (R-IV), silage + lucerne hay (R-V) and silage + GN haulms (R-VI) and sweet sorghum bagasse based complete diet (R-VII) to study the growth rate. Results: Significantly (P<0.01) increase in ADG was observed in ram lambs fed R-IV ration was 16.58, 20.49, 24.10, 29.74, 38.28 and 62.01 per cent, respectively in comparison to those fed R-VII, R-V, R-III, R-VI, R-II and R-I rations. Almost similar ADG was noticed in lambs fed R-III, R-V and R-VII rations and the supplementation of concentrate at 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% of body weight plus maize silage ad lib has increased the growth/gain in ram lambs by 62.48, 99.81 and 163.25 per cent, respectively in comparison to sole silage feeding. Similarly, supplementation of lucerne hay and groundnut haulms with maize silage has increased the weight gain by 109.31 and 84.97 per cent, respectively in comparison to sole maize silage fed animals. Sole sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) based complete ration (50:50) fed lambs (R-VII ration) showed the ADG almost similar to those animals fed lucerne hay plus maize silage ad lib. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that, maize silage can be supplemented either with lucerne hay, groundnut haulms (to meet 25% of DM requirement) or concentrate mixture at 1.5% of body weight for obtaining optimum growth rate in Nellore ram lambs.


Introduction
prussic acid as in case of sorghum or other fodders. Therefore, green maize fodder is referred as 'king of Maize (Zea mays) is the nutritious feed for small crops' suitable for good silage making [3]. Very limited and large ruminants have high protein efficiency ratio numbers of sheep farmers are feeding their ruminants (PER), relatively high digestible energy (DE) and total with silage in India. Farmers in Andhra Pradesh, India digestible nutrients and thus maize fodder can play an are showing interest in preparation and feeding of important role in supplying animal feed throughout the silage based rations to their ruminant animals particularly year if we cultivate them. [1]. Feeding of silage based small ruminants like growing sheep to obtain optimum rations is becoming popular among the farmers rearing body weight. sheep on commercial basis in India particularly in In view of the farmers' awareness on feeding of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. However, a feeding silage to small ruminants for meat production, an system based on silage needs to be developed for attempt was made to feed the maize silage by supplerearing of ram lambs on commercial basis since menting concentrate and legume hay at certain levels to literature on silage feeding in ram lambs is limited. study the growth rate in Nellore ram lambs. Silage, which is anaerobically fermented green fodder, is valued throughout the world as a source of animal

feed during lean months (2). Maize is the third most
This on-farm experiment was carried out with important cereal crop of the world. It is used as food, maize silage at Indugula village in Tipparthy mandal of feed and forage. Maize fodder can safely be fed at all Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The main stages of growth without any danger of oxalic acid, source of irrigation for food crops or forage crops here fodder directly to fall into the pit. About 5-6 whole is by rains, bore wells and small tanks. Average rainfall maize plants were kept in the chop cutter at a time so as was 50-60 mm per annum and occurs chiefly due to to cut the fodder to a size of ½ to ¾ inches. southwest monsoons every year from June to Sugarcane molasses, urea (fertilizer grade) and September. Soil is of mostly red (chalka) type. The common salt were added at 1, 0.5 and 0.5 per cent, experimental animals had faced the maximum respectively while making the silage. They were mixed 0 in water (50 litres/ton of fodder) in a plastic drum environmental temperature of about 44 C in the month 0 thoroughly with a long stick and were sprinkled of May and the minimum was about 23 C during the uniformly all over the maize fodder while chopping entire five months experimental period.
them through a chop cutter. Ethical approval: The experiment was approved by Chopped green maize fodder was trampled Institutional Animal Ethics Committee.
(compacted) with wooden planks by two persons for every one foot level in the pit. Great care was taken Silage making: The farmer who reared the experiwhile trampling chopped silage fodder to prevent mental ram lambs is having 20 acres of land with bore trapping of air in the pit in order to maintain strict well as well as sprinkler irrigation facility. The farmer anaerobic condition in the silo. was already rearing 100 sheep which were being After filling the chopped fodder to about 2 feet's maintained by grazing on open fields. The land used to above the ground level it was tightly covered with grow the maize crop for silage making was ploughed HDPE plastic covers and heavy weight sand bags were thoroughly for 3 times with a tractor and about 2 tons of placed over the pit to prevent entry of air and water into farm yard manure per acre was applied as a basal fertilizer. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium silo. Pit slope to one side was maintained to drain water fertilizers were purchased from local market and quickly if rain occurs. Silo was opened on 39th day for applied at the rate of 60, 24 and 10 kg per acre, the feeding of experimental ram lambs. respectively. A 36V92 variety of maize seed was Preparation of concentrate mixture: Concentrate feed selected and purchased from Pioneer seeds Pvt. Ltd., ingredients were procured from the local Hyderabad Hyderabad for growing the maize fodder for silage market. Concentrate mixture with 17% CP and 70% TDN making. Physical or chemical treatment of seed was not was prepared in the feed mill located at Department of done prior to sowing.
Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science, Seed rate was 8.5 kg/acre. While sowing with Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India and transported to hand, the distance maintained between the rows was Indugula village for feeding of ram lambs. 1.5 feet and between the seeds was 7 inches. About 5 g Lucerne (Medicago sativa) crop was grown at the of urea fertilizer was placed along with a maize seed farmer's fields at Indugula village and was harvested at while sowing. Corbofuron granules were placed in the 50-60% flowering stage. Harvested green lucerne rows after sowing to prevent the infestation by insects fodder was dried under shade for 3-4 days in order to after germination. Maize seeds were sowed in the th contain 12-14% moisture. While drying, the fodder winter season (15 November, 2009). Irrigation was was turned upside down three times a day to prevent done by sprinklers for first 60 days followed by bore growth of fungus and to hasten the process of drying. well once in 15 days till harvest. Herbicide (Atrazin @ Prepared hay was filled in the gunny bags and stored 1.5 litres in 200 litres of water per acre) was used on the for feeding of experimental ram lambs. Groundnut next day of sowing to prevent the growth of weeds in (Arachis hypogea) haulms were purchased (INR. 3.00 the field. Monocrotophos an insecticide was sprayed th per kg) from another farmer in Indugula village for the over the growing fodder on 40 day. Booster dose of th th th feeding of experimental ram lambs. Sweet sorghum urea was applied on 15 , 30 and 40 day. bagasse (SSB) was procured from ICRISAT, Patancheru, th Maize fodder was harvested on 87 day after Hyderabad to prepare complete ration. Concentrate sowing when the cob containing one fourth to half ingredients were purchased from local market in milky grains. Harvested green fodder was allowed to Hyderabad. Complete ration with 50 per cent level SSB wilt in the field for 4-6 h to reduce the moisture content was processed into mash according to the formula to around 65 per cent.
using hammer mill through 8 mm sieve at the feed mill Two silo pits were constructed/digged near the of Department of Animal Nutrition, College of experimental animal shed with the dimensions of 9'L x Veterinary science, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad and 9'W x 8'D so as to accommodate about 10 tons of silage was transported to Indugula village to feed the experiin each pit. All the inside walls and bottom of silo was mental ram lambs. cemented to prevent seepage of ground water if any. All the sides of the silos were covered with HDPE plastic Selection and grouping of ram lambs: Forty nine 3-4 cover before filling the pit with chopped maize fodder. months old growing Nellore ram lambs with an Harvested and wilted green fodder was brought to average body weight of 14.26±0.24 kg were purchased the site of silage pit from the field by using a tractor.
from Karimnagar, Karimnagar district of Andhra The 10 HP motor capacity chop cutter was arranged at Pradesh and were randomly distributed into seven groups one edge of silo in order to allow the chopped green of seven animals each. The average body weight (kg) of The third group (T ) animals were fed concentrate 3 to 28.77-40.77 per cent from 7 to 10 fortnight in ram mixture @ 1.0 per cent of body weight + maize silage lambs supplemented with different supplements and ad libitum.
SSB based ration. The variation in the fortnightly body The fourth group (T ) animals were fed concen-4 weight changes may be due to variation in quantity and trate mixture @ 1.5 per cent of body weight + maize quality of supplements offered along with the maize silage ad libitum.
silage. Fortnightly body weights obtained in lambs fed The fifth group (T ) of ram lambs was fed lucerne 5 SSB based ration was comparable with maize silage hay to meet 25 per cent of dry matter requirement and supplemented with concentrate at 1.0% of body maize silage ad libitum.
weight, groundnut haulms and lucerne hay each The sixth group (T ) of ram lambs was fed supplemented at 25% of DM requirement to maize 6 groundnut haulms (straw) to meet 25 per cent of dry silage fed ram lambs. matter requirement and maize silage ad libitum.
Average daily gain: The average daily gain (ADG) The seventh group (T ) ram lambs were fed solely 7 observed in the growing Nellore ram lambs fed rations on SSB based complete ration (50:50).
groundnut haulms to meet 25% DM requirement) and Ordinary flooring (soil) was maintained in the pens. All R-VII (sweet sorghum bagasse based complete ration) the experimental ram lambs were offered their were 32.33±1.79, 52.53±2.78, 64.60±0.96, 85.11± respective feeds at 9.00 and 15.00 h by weighing on an 3.78, 67.67±1.15, 59.80±1.59 and 71.00±1.88 g, respeelectronic digital balance and residue if any was ctively ( Table-2). weighed after 24 h. The growth trial was conducted for Significant (P<0.01) difference among experia period of 150 days. All the experimental animals were mental animals fed different maize silage and SSB offered clean, fresh drinking water round the clock.
based rations was observed. ADG was highest Hygienic surroundings were maintained throughout (P<0.01) in lambs fed ration IV in comparison to other the experimental period. All the animals were treated rations. No difference in ADG between R-V and R-VII for external and internal parasites with Ivermectin and rations. Fenbendazole drugs, respectively, in the beginning as Increase in ADG in R-IV ration was 16.58 per well as after three months of experimental period. cent with R-VII ration, 20.49 per cent with R-V ration, Animals were vaccinated against PPR disease after 24.10 per cent with R-III ration, 29.74 per cent with Rseven days of first deworming.
VI ration, 38.28 per cent with R-II ration and 62.01 per Recording of live weight: The animals were weighed cent with R-I ration (sole silage) in ram lambs. Almost fortnightly using a spring balance before offering the similar ADG was noticed between the lambs fed R-III feed and water in the morning. Weights were recorded and R-V rations, R-III and R-VI rations as well as R-V on two consecutive days and the mean was taken to and R-VII rations. represent the body weight. Average daily gain (ADG) Supplementation of concentrate at 0.5%, 1.0% was calculated by using the formula. and 1.5% of body weight plus maize silage ad lib has increased the growth/gain in ram lambs at the rate of  (Table-1) were in comparison to sole maize silage fed animals.

Author's contribution
Supplementation of grass silage with rape seed meal or barley resulted in ADG of 1124 g and 1070 g in VM, RRY, ND and MM implemented the study design. comparison to 1012 g in un supplemented Ayrshire VM and GPM recorded the data and analyzed. VM cattle [4]. Green grass ad lib and palm kernel cake at drafted the manuscript. VM, RRY, ND, MM, GPM and levels of 0, 0.45, 0.90, 1.35 and 1.80 per cent of their RRA revised the manuscript. All authors read and live weight and found significant increase in weight approved the final manuscript. gain in growing lambs [5]. Supplementation of