Effects of maize, ryegrass and sorghum silages on performance, meat quality and some blood variables of lambs

Aim of study: This study evaluated the effects of ad libitum feeding of maize, sorghum and ryegrass silages on growth performance, blood gas and biochemical variables, and carcass characteristics of Ile de France male lambs. Area of study: The experiment was conducted in Sakarya province, Türkiye. Material and methods: Twenty-four lambs (2-3 months old; 26.53±0.21 kg) were individually housed and randomly assigned to four dietary groups. The control group received straw ad libitum, while the other groups were fed maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) or Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) silage ad libitum for 70 days, together with a standard concentrate-based basal ration. Average daily gain was calculated for each lamb as the slope of the linear regression of live weight on time over the entire experimental period. Blood gas and biochemical variables were measured on days 35 and 70 using an EDAN i15 VET analyser. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood variables were analysed using appropriate statistical models, including repeated measures analysis for blood data. Main results: Dietary group did not affect growth performance, average daily gain, carcass characteristics, blood gas variables or biochemical profiles (P > 0.05). Several blood variables showed significant changes over time (P < 0.05), but these changes were consistent across all dietary groups and were not diet-dependent. Meat colour, texture properties and water activity of the musculus longissimus dorsi were similar among experimental groups. Research highlights: Feeding maize, sorghum and ryegrass silages ad libitum maintained normal metabolic status and resulted in comparable growth performance and carcass traits in lambs. Under the conditions of this study, all three silage types can be considered nutritionally safe forage alternatives for intensive lamb-fattening systems.