M. Yossifov, L. Kozelov, K. Dimov

Abstract. The objectives of our study were to evaluate chemical composition and the effects of dried distillers’ grains with solubles (DDGS) on feed intake, growth and gain efficiency of fattening Synthetic Bulgarian Dairy Population lambs. Thirty-two lambs (16.69±2.53 kg initial body weight and 59 days of age) were separated by weight and sex into one of 2 pens and assigned to treatments (n=2). Diets were formulated to meet crude protein, energy, calcium and phosphorus requirements. Treatments were isonitrogenous, isocaloric and with balanced calcium/phosphorus ratio. The basal diet consisted of roughage – meadow hay, triticale, corn grains and a trace mineral – vitamin mix. Protein forage was 37.58% DDGS vs. 26.33% sunflower meal on a diet basis (16 lambs.diet-1). Feed intake was monitored daily. Body weight was monitored every 2 weeks. Feed intake, average daily gain and gain efficiency were determined following 82-day long trial. Final body weight and average daily gain were significantly affected by DDGS (p<0.001) treatments. Total DMI was greater in lambs fed DDGS diet as compared with lambs fed sunflower meal diet. Results indicated that DDGS is a viable feedstuff for fattening lambs without any compromise to performance.