Influence of different level of concentrate feeding on the productive performances and meat quality attributes of indigenous lamb

This study aimed to identify the optimum level of concentrate feeds on the productive performances and meat quality attributes of three genotypes of indigenous lambs of Bangladesh. Thirty-six selected lambs of three genotype were divided into four treatments such as T0 (Without concentrate supplementation), T1 (1% concentrate feed), T2 (1.5% concentrate feed) and T3 (2% concentrate feed) having three lambs per treatment of three genotypes. The data were analyzed through 4 × 3 factorial experiments in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with SAS software. Initial body weight (IBW), average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (FBW) showed significantly (p<0.001) higher values at different Genotype with increasing level of concentrate feed. Hot carcass weight (HCW) was significantly (p<0.001) increased in different treatments. The crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) values were significantly increased (p<0.05) among different treatments. Genotype had a significant (p<0.001) effect on proximate components of meat except ether extract (EE). The ultimate pH was significantly (p<0.001) high in T0, T1 and T3 Treatment. Cooked pH was significantly (p<0.001) optimum in case of BRL compared to CBL and JBL. Cooking loss (CL %) had insignificantly reduced except T3 treatment. Drip loss was significantly different in different genotype. The score of color, flavor juiciness and overall acceptability were significantly different (p<0.001) in different genotype. Flavor and tenderness score were significantly increased (p<0.001) in different treatments except T2. The color values L* and b* had significantly changed (p<0.001) and a* value was found insignificantly higher in all treatments. Hence, the study reflects the superiority of Coastal Belt lamb over Jamuna Basin lamb and Barind Region lamb in terms of overall productive performance. Meat quality traits largely varied in different concentrate level. Jamuna Basin lamb with 1.5% concentrate feed showed better performances in nutritional, physicochemical, sensory, and instrumental color values of lamb meat.