Effect of Early Shearing on The Nutritional Metabolism, Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Barki Lambs تأثير الجز المبکر على التمثيل الغذائي وکفاءة النمو وصفات الذبيحة في الحملان البرقي

This study was planned to investigate the effects of early shearing on the performance and certain metabolic and carcass parameters of growing Barki lambs. Eighteen lambs (23.18± 0.69 kg weight and 4 months of age) were divided into equal two groups. One group was left unshorn and served as a control group (C) while the other group was completely shorn (S) and both groups were housed in shaded pens. All animals were fed concentrate mixture to cover their maintenance requirements otherwise clover hay was offered ad lib to cover growth requirements for a period of 110 days. Results showed that total feed intake increased after shearing and improved by 8.37% over the C group. Shearing increased (P<0.01) daily gain of lambs by 12.87% over than of C group. However, shearing had no effects on the indicators of feed conversion. The shorn group recorded a higher growth rate of net clean wool (5.54g/d) than the control group (3.47g/d). Nutrients digestibilities were generally improved in S group, however, insignificance was observed for CF and EE digestibility values. The rumen pH, NH3-N and VFA were significantly higher in S than C group. The shorn group achieved higher retained N and sulfur. Shorn lambs were more economical efficient in utilizing water than C group. Shearing did not affect dressing percentage; notwithstanding it has a positive financial gain. This study provided clear evidence that under local conditions; the early shearing of growing Barki lambs improved their body weight gain as well as achieved high revenue.