Effect of Inorganic and Nano-zinc oxide on Feed Intake, Weight Gain and Feed Conversion of Awassi Lambs

Abstract

Zinc is one of the components of many enzymes that performs catalytic, structural and regulatory functions and important in the processes of cell metabolism, regulating appetite, growth and immune function. This research aimed to determine the effect of zinc on the intake and growth data of lamb sixteen Awassi male lambs (4.5-5 months age and 23.38± 0.95 kg body weight) were use. They were divide into four groups. The first group (R1) was fed concentrated feed without additives, while zinc oxide (ZnO) at 45 mg/kg DM of concentrated feed to the rest of the groups: the second group (R2) inorganic ZnO. The third group (R3) commercial Nano-ZnO. The fourth group (R4) ZnO synthesized using green methods. The roughage feed was provide freely throughout the study. The results showed a significant increase in the average daily weight gain (ADG) and total weight gain (TG) for the second group, which respectively reached 156.07 g/day and 10.92 kg compared to 141.07 g/day and 9.87 kg for the first group. The statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in the food conversion ratio from 7.40 g DM/g weight gain (WG) for the control unit to 6.54 g DM/g WG for the group of lambs fed concentrated feed containing inorganic ZnO. The addition of zinc from a non-Nano source led to a decrease in rough feed consumption and an important boost in the lambs' daily and total weight gain, as well as feed conversion ratio.