INTRODUCTION
Modern market conditions call for highly
competitive sheep breeding, which requires specialized
meat production of high quality. Sheep meat is the most
expensive meat in developed countries. Its consumption
depends on cultural factors and tends to increase with
growing population and incomes. Major exporting
countries see a decline in their sheep stocks caused by
the shrinking wool market. Sheep meat production is
expected to be developed by small and medium-sized
farms close to their markets [1].
Today, there is an urgent need for highly productive
young sheep and safe lamb meat of high-quality. The
world demand for lamb is very high, both in nutritional
and commercial terms. Therefore, lamb production is a
priority in Russia and abroad [2].
Many studies have shown that lamb aged 0–7 months
is the best type of sheep meat. Russia consumes 1.0
kg of lamb per capita, compared to 1.29 kg worldwide.
Private farms account for 88.6–89.2% of sheep meat
production in Russia [3].
Nutrition is one of the main factors of meat
productivity alongside good maintenance conditions [4].
Selective breeding of farm animals is also gaining
ground. It aims to produce new genotypes of wool-andmeat
sheep for manufacturers of livestock products.
To fully realize the genetic potential of wool-andmeat
sheep genotypes, we need to improve their feeding
systems by adding new supplements of plant and
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animal origin to enhance their productivity. Adequate
nutrition is the main principle of animal feeding that
contributes to higher productivity. Diets should be
differentiated according to production schemes and
planned productivity. Rationed feeding is one of the
most important indicators of nutrition that ensures
normal physiological state, high productivity, good
reproductive qualities, and production profitability.
Nutrition enhanced with feed supplements rich in
bioactive substances is the most rational way to obtain
low-cost and high-quality products [5]. Radzhabov et al.
provide a good coverage of intensive sheep raising
methods based on adequate feeding [6].
By-products of starch, dairy, meat, and other industries
are increasingly used as feed supplements in animal
diets. However, it is important to study their composition,
nutritional benefits, and possible side effects for the
animal organism [7, 8]. Most changes caused by feed
supplements occur at an early age, during intensive growth
and development of lambs. This is a period of greatest
assimilation of feed nutrients leading to the maximum
increase in live weight. Feed supplements improve animal
productivity, activate digestive metabolic processes, and
ultimately make sheep breeding cost-effective [9, 10].
The ORGANIC supplement (patented in Russia) is a
high-protein feed supplement obtained from collagencontaining
solid waste of leather production. It is used
to enrich feed for all types of productive animals, fish,
and poultry, with a highly digestible, “protected” protein.
The product has stable quality indicators, namely
82–85% of crude protein and а complete composition
of essential and non-essential amino acids. It facilitates
digestion and gastrointestinal functioning, which
improves the digestibility and absorption of feed
nutrients, as well as increases the natural resistance of
the animal’s body [11].
We aimed to study the effect of the ORGANIC feed
supplement on the growth and development of sheep,
meat productivity, and economic efficiency.
To achieve the aim, we set a number of objectives,
namely to:
– formulate new starter feeds for wool-and-meat lambs
aged 0–4 months based on their maintenance and
feeding conditions;
– evaluate the effect of starter feeds on the growth of
young sheep, as well as meat productivity and quality;
– assess the effect of starter feeds on the biochemical and
morphological parameters of blood and general health of
young sheep; and
– calculate feed efficiency and economic efficiency of
using starter feeds in young sheep breeding
STUDY OBJECTS AND METHODS
We aimed to test new starter feeds for wool-andmeat
lambs aged 0–4 months of the Russian Meat
Merino breed. Experimental studies were conducted at
the Vtoraya Pyatiletka Breeding Farm (Stavropol Krai,
Russia).
Its sheep breeding technology involves stall and
pasture maintenance; weaning (at the age of 120 days);
shearing (May – June); grazing (on pastures with
kosher basic feeding technology); artificial insemination
(September – October); and lambing (February – March).
When in the stalls, sheep receive coarse, juicy, and
concentrated feeds.
Diets for young sheep were determined by such
factors as age, live weight, and productivity [9]. We
used three diets, namely: standard feed (control), starter
feed with 5% of skimmed powered milk as a whole milk
replacer (experiment), and starter feed with 3% of the
ORGANIC supplement (experiment). The composition
of starter feeds and their nutritional value are shown in
Table 1.
Compared to standard feed (Formula 1), starter
feed with the whole milk replacer (MR) (Formula
2), and starter feed with the ORGANIC supplement
(OS) (Formula 3) had higher values of total nutritional
value (by 4.7 and 6.6%, respectively), crude protein
(by 19.8 and 27.3%, respectively), digestible protein
(by 7.6 and 15.1%, respectively), lysine (by 23.7 and
18.6%, respectively), methionine + cystine (by 32.7%),
threonine (by 23.1 and 21.2%, respectively), and crude
fat (by 83.4 and 82.7%, respectively) (Table 1).
The formulated starter feeds (Table 1) were tested
on three groups of ewes (12 heads in each) with single
ram lambs (aged from 2 days to 4 months) based on the
analogous pair principle (Table 2).
As we can see in Table 2, the control ram lambs
(group I) received alfalfa hay and standard feed
(Formula 1) based on the formulation of the All-Russian
Research Institute of Animal Husbandry. For the rams in
the experimental groups, the standard feed was replaced
with starter feed with the milk replacer and starter feed
with the ORGANIC supplement, respectively.
Feed samples were analyzed at the Feed and
Metabolism Laboratory, Stavropol State Agrarian
University. Total nitrogen (crude protein) was
determined on a UDK-142 protein (nitrogen) analyzer,
crude fat – on a SER-148 fat analyzer, macro- and
microelements – on a Spectroscan MAX GV universal
analyzer, vitamins – on a LCMS-10 EV liquid
chromatograph, crude fiber – on a FIVE fiber analyzer,
and total feed moisture – on an AD-4714 A moisture
analyzer.
The guidelines by Dmitrik et al. were used to
determine the morphological composition of lamb
carcasses and conduct a microstructural analysis of the
Longissimus dorsi muscle [12]. The animals’ internal
homeostasis was assessed on the basis of morphological
and biochemical blood analyses [13, 14]. The counting
of erythrocytes and leukocytes was performed in the
Goryaev chamber. The leukocyte formula was based on
a blood smear stained using the Romanowsky-Giemsa
technique. The results were biometrically processed
using statistical methods (Microsoft Excel).
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Table 1 Feed formulations for lambs aged 0–4 months
*Formula 1 – standard feed used at the Vtoraya Pyatiletka Breeding Farm
** Formula 2 – starter feed with 5% of milk replacer (New Compound Feeds Company)
*** Formula 3 – starter feed with 3% of ORGANIC feed supplement (New Compound Feeds Company)
Indicator Feed formulations
Formula 1* Formula 2** Formula 3***
Feed composition, %:
Barley 29.00 14.00 15.00
Oats 28.0 – –
Wheat 10.00 14.00 15.93
Wheat Bran 10.00 11.33 15. 0
Corn – 20.00 15.00
Peas 10.0 – –
Sunflower cake (crude protein 34%, crude fiber 20) 10.00 19.97 20.00
Alfalfa flour (crude protein 14.0 %) – 10.00 10.00
ORGANIC feed supplement – – 3.00
Skimmed milk powder – 5.00 –
Feed yeast (crude protein 42%) – 3.00 3.00
Feed chalk – 0.58 0.35
Monocalcium phosphate 1.00 0.50 1.03
P61-1 premix for calves 1.00 0.80 0.80
Table salt 0.70 0.82 0.89
Components:
Energy feed units 1.06 1.11 1.13
Metabolic energy, MJ 10.6 11.1 11.3
Dry matter, g 880.0 891.8 890.6
Crude protein, g 149.3 178.8 190.0
Digestible protein, g 131.5 141.5 151.4
Lysine, g 5.9 7.3 7.0
Methionine + cystine, g 4.9 6.5 6.5
Threonine, g 5.2 6.4 6.3
Crude fat, g 28.3 51.9 51.7
Crude fiber, g 79.7 90.1 93.8
Sugar, g 37.7 35.6 33.4
Ca, g 3.26 8.0 8.6
P, g 7.21 6.7 6.9
Mg, g 2.6 2.3 2.5
Table salt, g 1.4 10.0 10.0
Fe, mg 78 20.0 20.0
Cu, mg 5.2 4.0 4.0
Zn, mg 31.4 32.0 32.0
Mn, mg 35.5 40.0 40.0
Co, mg 2.0 2.0 2.0
I, mg 1.0 1.2 1.2
Se, mg 0.11 0.16 0.16
Vitamins:
A, thousand IU 4.8 16.0 16.0
D3, thousand IU 0.01 3.20 3.20
Е, mg 12.5 56.0 56.0
В1, mg 3.5 2.4 2.4
В2, mg 1.1 8.0 8.0
В3, mg 9.3 16.0 16.0
В5, mg 13.0 8.0 8.0
В12, mg – 0.016 0.016
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Group Diet description
I (control) Normal diet (ewe milk, alfalfa hay, mineral feed) + standard farm feed (Formula 1)
II (experimental) Normal diet + starter feed with whole milk replacer (Formula 2)
III (experimental) Normal diet + starter feed with ORGANIC supplement (Formula 3)
Table 2 Diets of suckling lambs aged 0–4 months (n = 12)
Indicator Group
I
(control)
II
(experimental)
III
(experimental)
Alfalfa hay 0.30 0.36 0.36
Standard farm
feed
(Formula 1)
0.41 – –
Starter feed
with the whole
milk replacer
(Formula 2)
– 0.42 –
Starter feed
with the
ORGANIC
supplement
(Formula 3)
– – 0.42
Table salt, g 6.0 6.0 6.0
Felucen
mineral salt, g
5.0 5.0 5.0
Disodium
phosphate, g
4.9 4.9 4.9
Components
Energy feed
units
0.64 0.72 0.72
Metabolic
energy, MJ
6.4 7.2 7.2
Dry matter, g 0.60 0.70 0.70
Crude
protein, g
98 120 123
Digestible
protein, g
79 90 93
Lysine, g 4.20 5.24 5.10
Methionine +
cystine, g
2.90 3.80 3.80
Crude fiber, g 112 134 134
Sugar, g 23 23 23
Са, g 5.2 8.0 7.9
Р, g 5.8 4.6 5.1
Mg, g 1.51 1.51 1.57
NaCl, g 6.7 6.3 6.3
Fe, mg 82.3 69.2 68.4
Cu, mg 5.80 5.71 5.66
Zn, mg 22.0 24.6 24.3
Mn, mg 35.7 42.4 41.9
Co, mg 0.9 1.0 0.9
I, mg 0.41 0.52 0.52
Vitamins
A, mg 12 34 34
D3, thousand IU 31 1376 1360
Е, mg 37 62 61
Table 3 Actual feed intake by sheep aged 0–4 months
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Adequate feeding, especially during intensive growth
and development, is highly important for the animals’
productivity. In our study, the lambs’ needs for basic
nutrients were determined by their health and growth
indicators.
Substituting the standard feed (Formula 1) for starter
feeds containing the milk replacer (Formula 2) and the
ORGANIC supplement (Formula 3) in the diets of sheep
(Table 3) aged 0–4 months increased their metabolic
energy (by 12.5%), crude protein (by 22.4 and 25.5%,
respectively), lysine (by 24.8 and 21.4%, respectively),
methionine + cystine (by 31.0%), and vitamins A, D, E
(1.6–44.3 times).
Table 4 shows the total feed consumption by the
experimental lambs during the suckling period. Over
120 days of growth, the control group consumed
77.47 energy feed units and 8.62 kg of digestible
protein. In the experimental groups, energy feed units
were lower by 1.98 and 1.73 and digestible protein by
0.279 and 1.430 kg, respectively. As we know, ewes
produce plenty of milk (1.2–1.5 liters) during lactation
to meet their lambs’ nutritional needs. However, its
amount significantly reduces in the months following
lactation. For this reason, we formulated starter feeds
containing the milk replacer (WMR) and the ORGANIC
supplement (OS).
Feeding starter feeds to suckling lambs for four
months affected their live weight (Fig. 1). Compared
Table 4 Feed consumption by sheep during the suckling
period
Group Diet
Ewe
milk
Alfalfa and
legume hay
Feed Total
Standard farm feed
(control):
– feed weight, kg
– energy feed units
– digestible protein, g
136.0
40.80
4488
10.8
4.97
443
24.4
31.70
3684
171.2
77.47
8615
Starter feed with
whole milk replacer:
– feed weight, kg
– energy feed units
– digestible protein, g
136.0
40.80
4488
11.2
5.15
459
25.8
33.50
3947
173.0
79.45
8894
Starter feed
with ORGANIC
supplement:
– feed weight, kg
– energy feed units
– digestible protein, g
136.0
40.80
4488
10.9
5.00
447
25.7
33.40
5110
172.6
79.20
10045
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to the control lambs, live weight of the experimental
lambs aged 120 days in the groups that received starter
feeds with the WMR and OS increased by 8.8 kg, or
29.63% (P ≤ 0.001), a nd 10.0 kg, or 33.67% (P ≤ 0.001),
respectively. The average daily gain rose by 73.0 g,
or 34.11% (P ≤ 0.001), a nd 83 g, or 38.78% (P ≤ 0.001),
respectively, with 100% animal safety.
Therefore, we found that the use of starter feeds
with the WMR and the OS instead of standard feed was
zootechnically justified. These feeds contributed to a
better palatability of the diet feed and a greater intake of
nutrients.
Lamb production needs to be increased to enhance
the economic efficiency of sheep breeding. The meat
from sheep aged up to one year is easily digestible and
has a low fat content. For this reason, it is recommended
for dietetic diet. Scientists have also established that the
most intensive weight gain occurs in the first six months.
For the next stage of our study, we carried out a
control slaughter of lambs at the age of four months.
This age was due to intensive protein deposition in
the first six months. Adipose tissue accumulating
Figure 1 Live weight and live weight gain of young sheep that received: 1 – standard feed (control); 2 – starter feed with the whole
milk replacer, 3 – starter feed with the ORGANIC supplement; n = 12
more intensively in the later period of life affects the
biological value of meat and the economic efficiency of
lamb production.
Hematological parameters show a complete picture
of the organism’s development. We found that the blood
parameters of 4-month-old lambs of the experimental
and control groups were within the physiological norms
(Fig. 2).
The contents of erythrocytes and hemoglobin were
within the physiological norms, indicating the absence
of anemia (Fig. 2). Compared to the control group, the
blood of the experimental lambs that received starter
feeds with the MR and the OS had a slight increase
in hemoglobin, namely by 2.6 (P > 0.1) and 4.7%
(P < 0.05), respectively, and in erythrocytes, by 5.6 and
11.1% (P < 0.05), respectively. This contributed to a
more intensive metabolism. The contents of leukocytes
were almost identical, with a difference of 2.9 and 5.9%,
respectively.
Higher total protein in the serum of the experimental
lambs indicated more intensive protein digestion
and absorption of amino acids in the intestine, as
29.7
38.5 39.7
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Live weight after 120 days, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
25.62
34.4 35.61
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Absolute weight gain, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
214
287 297
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Daily weight gain, g
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
4.08 4.10 4.09
0
1
2
3
4
5
Live weight at birth, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
25.62
34.4 35.61
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Absolute weight gain, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
25.62
34.4 35.61
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Absolute weight gain, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
25.62
34.4 35.61
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Absolute weight gain, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
25.62
34.4 35.61
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Absolute weight gain, kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
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10.2% (P < 0.05), respectively, indicating a better supply
of body cells with energy. Similar results were reported
by Khompodoeva and Pashtetskaya et al. [15, 16].
Calcium was significantly higher in the blood serum
of experimental lambs, namely by 7.8 (P < 0.05) and
10.5% (P < 0.05) in the groups that received the MR and
the OS, respectively. A similar trend was observed in the
amount of phosphorus: it was 7.5 (P < 0.05) and 14.9%
(P < 0.01) higher in the experimental groups, compared
to the control. This was indicative of better saturation of
the bone tissue and stronger bones.
The control slaughter (Fig. 3) proved a possibility of
obtaining high-quality dietetic meat from lambs aged 4
months.
We established (Fig. 4) that starter feeds enriched
with the milk replacer and the ORGANIC supplement,
increased the slaughter weight by 36.5 and 42.05%
(P ≤ 0.001) and slaughter yield by 2.50 and 2.96 abs.%,
respectively, compared to the control.
Next, we studied the morphological composition
of animal carcasses to assess meat productivity. For
this, we deboned the carcasses and analyzed various
meat characteristics, especially the meat coefficient (the
ratio of the weight of meat to the weight of bones and
tendons) (Fig. 5).
well as protein synthesis in the liver. This finding
was confirmed by the live weight gain indicators. In
particular, total protein in the experimental groups
that received the MR and the OS was 8.5 and 11.6%
(P < 0.05) higher in comparison with the control group.
Glucose contents were higher by 6.9 (P < 0.05) and
Figure 2 Hematological and biochemical parameters of young sheep that received: 1 – standard feed (control); 2 – starter feed with
the whole milk replacer, 3 – starter feed with the ORGANIC supplement
7.2
6.8
7.6
7.0
8.0
7.2
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
Erythrocytes, Т/L Leukocytes, g/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
91.2
93.6
95.5
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
Hemoglobin, g/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
2.45 2.57
1.74
2.62 2.77
1.87
2.70 2.84
2.00
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Glucose, mmol/L Calcium, mmol/L Phosphorus,
mmol/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
61.3
66.5
68.4
56
58
60
62
64
66
68
70
Total protein, g/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
2.45 2.57
1.74
2.62 2.77
1.87
2.70 2.84
2.00
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Glucose, mmol/L Calcium, mmol/L Phosphorus,
mmol/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
2.45 2.57
1.74
2.62 2.77
1.87
2.70 2.84
2.00
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Glucose, mmol/L Calcium, mmol/L Phosphorus,
mmol/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
2.45 2.57
1.74
2.62 2.77
1.87
2.70 2.84
2.00
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Glucose, mmol/L Calcium, mmol/L Phosphorus,
mmol/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
2.45 2.57
1.74
2.62 2.77
1.87
2.70 2.84
2.00
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Glucose, mmol/L Calcium, mmol/L Phosphorus,
mmol/L
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
Figure 3 Carcasses of young sheep
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The ratio of muscle, bone, and connective tissues in
the body of sheep affects the nutritional and biological
value of carcasses. However, if sheep had different live
weight, the nutritional value of their carcasses can vary
greatly [17].
Apparently, higher feed intake and better
assimilation of nutrients in the experimental groups
contributed to a more uniform deposition of subcutaneous
fat and the formation of muscle mass.
We found maximum meat weight in the carcasses of
lambs that received feed with the milk replacer and the
ORGANIC supplement, respectively. Particularly, their
meat weight was 40.0 and 51.9% (P ≤ 0.001) higher than
in the control group, with a meat coefficient of 3.34 and
3.57, respectively. Our data were consistent with those
reported by Khayitov and Dzhuraeva [18].
Histological studies of the Longissimus dorsi muscle
showed better microstructural characteristics in the
meat of experimental lambs (Table 5).
The meat of young sheep from the experimental
groups that received the MR and the OS had smaller
muscle bundles, but it contained more fibers than the
Figure 4 Slaughter characteristics of ram lambs that received: 1 – standard feed (control); 2 – starter feed with the whole milk
replacer, 3 – starter feed with the ORGANIC supplement; n = 3
29.7
13.73 14.03
38.5
18.45 19.15
39.70
19.14 19.93
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Preslaughter
weight, kg
Chilled carcass
weight, kg
Slaughter weight,
kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
47.24
49.74
50.20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Slaughter yield, %
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
47.24
49.74
50.20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Slaughter yield, %
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
47.24
49.74
50.20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Slaughter yield, %
2 - experimental 3 - experimental
13.73
6.9 5.20 1.70
18.45
9.40 7.28 2.12
19.14
10.11
7.90
2.21
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Chilled
carcass
weight, kg
Half-carcass
weight, kg
Meat weight,
kg
Bone weight,
kg
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
3.06
3.34
3.57
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Meat coefficient
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
47.24
49.74
50.20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Slaughter yield, %
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
47.24
49.74
50.20
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Slaughter yield, %
1 - control 2 - experimental 3 - experimental
Figure 5 Morphological composition of lamb carcasses aged 4 months that received: 1 – standard feed (control); 2 – starter feed
with the whole milk replacer, 3 – starter feed with the ORGANIC supplement; n = 3
meat of the control animals, namely by 8.45 pcs./1 mm2
(2.1%) and 13.34 pcs./1 mm2 (3.3%), respectively.
The marbling coefficient of meat in the group that
received the OS exceeded that of meat in the groups
fed on standard feed and the OS feed by 11.7 and 7.9%
(P ≤ 0.05), respectively.
The microstructural analysis of muscle tissue
samples (Fig. 6) showed that the Longissimus dorsi
muscle of lambs had a greater number of muscle fibers
of a smaller diameter with fatty layers, indicative of high
nutritional and commercial qualities.
The biological value is the main indicator of the
product’s nutritional value.
The chemical composition of muscle tissue largely
depends on fatness and productivity type (wool-andmeat
or other). In our study (Fig. 7), the muscle tissue of
the experimental lambs in the groups fed on the MR and
OS feeds contained less moisture (by 4.52–6.47 abs.%
(Р ≤ 0.05)), but more dry matter (by 1.47–4.52 abs.%),
fat (by 0.58–0.80 abs.%), and protein (by 0.87–3.67
abs.% (Р ≤ 0.05)), compared to the control. Our data
were consistent with those of Bogatirevet et al. [19].
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Table 5 Microstructural analysis of the Longissimus dorsi muscle in sheep aged 4 months that received various diets (n = 3)
Indicator Group
Standard feed (control) Starter feed with whole milk replacer
(experiment)
Starter feed with ORGANIC
supplement (experiment)
Number of muscle fibers, pcs. 401.33 ± 7.22 409.78 ± 7.38 414.67 ± 7.47
Muscle fiber diameter, μm 28.45 ± 0.51 25.84 ± 0.46 25.34 ± 0.35*
“Marbling” assessment, score 28.95 ± 0.52 29.99 ± 0.54 32.35 ± 0.58*
Connective tissue, % 8.00 ± 0.14 7.60 ± 0.13 7.20 ± 0.11*
*Р ≤ 0.05; **Р ≤ 0.01; ***Р ≤ 0.001 Нужно указать критерий статистического анализа. Какой критерий – знают только авторы
1
2
3
a b
c
1 – muscle fibers; 2 – connective tissue; 3 – fatty interfiber and interfascicular inclusions (“marbling”)
Figure 6 Histosection of the longissimus dorsi muscle tissue of young sheep (colored with hematoxylin-eosin, magnification ×500):
а) group fed on standard feed (control); b) group fed on starter feed with whole milk replacer (experiment); c) group fed on starter
feed with ORGANIC supplement (experiment)
Figure 7 Chemical composition of muscle tissue of young sheep that received a) – standard feed (control); b) – starter feed with the
whole milk replacer, c) – starter feed with the ORGANIC supplement; n = 3
71.82
8.54
0.94
18.70
1 - control
Moisture, % Fat, %
Ash, % Protein, %
70.35
9.12
0.96
19.57
2 - experimental
Moisture, % Fat, %
Ash, % Protein, %
67.30
9.34
0.99
22.37
Moisture, % Fat, %
Ash, % Protein, %
a b c
67.30
9.34
0.99
22.37
Moisture, % Fat, %
Ash, % Protein, %
67.30
9.34
0.99
22.37
Moisture, % Fat, %
Ash, % Protein, %
193
Marynich A.P. Foods and Raw Materials, 2022, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 185–194
rubles respectively. The level of profitability of lamb
production increased by 34.7 and 42.1%, respectively.
The return on one ruble of feed supplement costs
amounted to 10.9 and 21.7 rubles, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Including starter feeds enriched with 5% of skimmed
powered milk as a whole milk replacer or 3% of the
ORGANIC feed supplement in the diet of sheep aged up
to four months enhanced their nutritional value, namely
metabolic energy (by 4.7 and 6.6%), raw protein (by 19.8
and 27.3%), lysine (by 23.7 and 18.6%), methionine +
cystine (by 32.7%), and threonine (by 23.1 and 21.2%).
By the age of four months, the lambs had an increase in
live weight (8.8 and 10.0 kg) and average daily weight
gain (73.0 and 83.0 g). The supplements also improved
the quality of meat, as well as feed efficiency (by 0.71
and 0.98 energy feed units) and the profitability of lamb
production.
CONTRIBUTION
The authors were equally involved in writing the
manuscript and are equally responsible for plagiarism.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflict of interest regarding
the publication of this article.
Thus, the morphological and microstructural analyses
of the longissimus dorsi muscle tissue revealed
higher quality indicators in the lamb fed on the OS
feed, compared to the groups that received standard
feed and the MR feed. Particularly, it had the largest
number of muscle fibers of a smaller diameter, a higher
marbling score, and a lower content of connective tissue.
Therefore, the meat in the group fed on the OS feed was
characterized as tender and juicy. The most nutritious
and valuable were those animal carcasses which had a
greater content of muscle tissue, since connective tissue
contains fatty tissue that make meat a high-calorie
product and give it a characteristic taste, color, and
aroma.
The economic analysis (Table 6) proved the
efficiency of using starter feeds with the high-protein
milk replacer of the ORGANIC supplement when
growing wool-and-meat lambs up to 4 months of age.
Particularly, the absolute increase in live weight of
lambs in the experimental groups that received the MR
and the OS feeds amounted to 8.8 and 10.0 kg or 34.27
and 38.99% (Р ≤ 0.001), respectively.
The additional costs of the milk replacer and the
ORGANIC feed supplement for the experimental
groups were 161.3 and 96.3 rubles, respectively. The
same selling price of 219.0 rubles per 1 kg of live
weight allowed for an extra profit of 1761.5 and 2091.5

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