FEEDLOT PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL AND CROSSBRED (LOCAL X CHIOS) F1 SHEEP FED ON BY-PRODUCTS-BASED DIET

Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of growing local and c ross-bred (local X Chios) sheep were studied using a by product based (BP) diet and a commercial concentrate diet (General ruminant, 14% CP) produced by Oman Flour Milt. The BP diet was based on 33% Date leaves + Rachis: 15% Date syrup by-product (DSBP) and 12% fish sardine (60% local by-products). BP diet was more fibrous (17.5% CF) than the conce ntrate diet (7.8% CF). In general feed intake as well as feed efficien cy from both BP and concentrate diets were similar. Cross-bred sheep g ained significantly (P < 0.05) better than local animals but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between diets for daily gain. Dr essing percent of empty body weight and longissimus dorsi area was una ffected by both diets or breeds. BP diet was cheaper (153 US$/ton) tha n concentrate (210 US$/ton) and cost of feeding and meat were both dec reased by 27% and 25%, respectively when BP diet was fed.