Supplementation effects of bamboo leaves on intake, growth performance, and carcass yield of lambs fed grasses as basal diets indoors versus under field conditions in Sidama Highland, Ethiopia

Abstract We evaluate the effects of bamboo leaf supplementation on feed intake, body weight gain, and carcass yield of Arsi-Bale lambs. Eight treatments were used with different levels of inclusions at 150 g (T2), 300 g (T3), and 450 g (T4) in both groups (i.e., indoor-fed vs. grazed in the field). T1 and T5 were control treatments for indoor-fed and those grazed in the field, respectively. A 2 x 4 factorial experiment was used with T1-T4 for indoor feeding and T5 -T8 for those grazed in the field. Carcass evaluation was carried out for all lambs. Feed analysis and evaluation of the nutritional quality of feed samples were examined. The results showed a significant (P < 0.000) increase in the nutrient and dry matter (DM) intake and growth performance of lambs with increased levels of bamboo leaves supplementation. There was a significant (P < 0.000) increase in the average daily gain of indoor-fed lambs from 33.33 to 62.67 g/day. The feed conversion efficiency of indoor-fed lambs was within the range of 0.057 to 0.084. The results confirmed that fresh bamboo leaf supplementation had a positive effect on the growth performance and carcass yields of lambs with improved DM intake. We suggest that the inclusion of fresh bamboo leaves is crucial to improve the performance of lambs. Increased inclusion of bamboo leaf supplementation in the lambs’ diet resulted in improved body weight gain and would be a viable option to boost sheep production.