Evaluation of cotton seed cake as a feed ingredient for fattening sheep

Abstract

Abstract The value of cotton seed cake as a source of crude protein in sheep diets was studied. The cotton seed cake was incorporated into diets at levels of 0, 15 and 30% after replacement of soya bean meal and was fed ad libitum to growing lambs. The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Sixteen lambs (8 male and 8 female) having an average liveweight of approximately 13.6 kg were used in each treatment. After being fed for 62 days and having reached a liveweight of approximately 26.7 kg, five male lambs from each treatment were slaughtered and carcass data were collected. Results of the growth trial showed that there were no significant differences in feedlot performance or carcass analysis among the lambs fed these diets. The dressing percentage was slightly higher ( P > 0.05) for lambs fed the 15% cotton seed cake compared with the 30% cotton seed cake and control diets. However, the final weights were substantially higher ( P < 0.001) and live average daily gains and feed intakes were all higher ( P < 0.10) for male animals. It was concluded that cotton seed cake is an acceptable feed ingredient for growing sheep and can satisfactorily replace soya bean meal as a source of protein in ruminant diets, a feedstuff locally produced in Greece and substantially cheaper than the imported soya bean meal.