A note on energy intake and nitrogen balance of fattening lambs given all-concrate diets

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Abstract
The growth rate and food conversion efficiency of fattening lambs given all-concentrate diets have been reported by Philip Preston and Greenhalgh (1964). The lambs were weaned abruptly at 8 weeks old and fed thereafter ad libitum on cereal and protein supplement. Owen, Davies and Ridgman (1965) have reported the same measures of performance for artificially reared lambs fed from 30 lb. to slaughter at 75 lb. on diets varying indigestibility. A considerable amount of information has been obtained recently on the nitrogen metabolism of young calves fed on all-concentrate diets (see Preston, Whitelaw, MacLeod and Philip, 1965, and Bowers, Preston, McDonald, MacLeod and Philip, 1965) but there is less information of a similar nature for lambs fed on such diets. The following experiment was carried out to assess the intake of energy and utilisation of dietary nitrogen by lambs fed ad libitum on three simple all-concentrate diets during the latter stages of fattening.