Effects of Organic Acid and Bacterial Direct-Feed Microbial on Fattening Performance of Kivircik-Male Yearling Lambs

Ismail Abas, Halil Can Kutay, Recep Kahraman, Nezir Yasar Toker, Dervis Özçelik, Fatma Ates and Aysun Kaçakci

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of addition of organic acid (OA), (SAL CURB®) and/or direct-feed microbial (DFM), (Cylactin® LBC ME 10) to the rations of Kivircik male-yearling lambs on body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, some blood metabolites, and the levels of serum minerals. A group of sixty 1-year old male lambs of Kivircik Breed were used. The animals were divided in to 4 groups of 15 lambs each. The groups were assigned as control, organic acid, direct-feed microbial, and direct-feed microbial plus organic acid. A commercial direct-feed microbial product and organic acid mix were used as feed treatment supplements. The average daily gain means of the lambs supplemented with organic acid plus direct-feed microbials was found significantly higher than that of control group lambs. Significant differences in total proteins, cholesterol, total lipids, and serum Zn levels were detected among the groups. As a result, addition of organic acid and/or direct-feed microbial to the ration of yearling Kivircik male lambs resulted in an increased body weight gain (p<0.05). In addition, the dietary supplement of organic acid to the lambs caused a decrease in the serum cholesterol level while direct-feed microbial addition caused an increase in the serum Zn level (p<0.05).