F. L. Fluharty1, G. D. Lowe, and D. D. Clevenger
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Seventy-two early weaned Targhee x Hampshire ram lambs (initial weight 79.6 ± 1.2 lb) were used in a randomized complete block design experiment to determine the effects of floor type on animal performance and carcass characteristics. Pen type affected dry matter intake (DMI) (P < 0.01). Lambs on expanded metal consumed the least (2.72 lb/day), lambs on straw consumed the most (2.82 lb/day), and lambs on sand were intermediate. The differences in DMI resulted in lambs on expanded metal gaining weight slower (P < 0.05) than lambs on straw (0.57 vs. 0.63 lb/day, respectively). There were no differences (P < 0.10) in feed efficiency, total days on feed, or total dry matter intake due to flooring or bedding. With high-concentrate, limit-fed diets, sand flooring and straw-bedded dirt floors resulted in improved animal performance compared to expanded metal floors. Straw consumption resulted in greater gut content weight, but did not negatively affect average daily gain or feed efficiency.
1 For more information, contact at: The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 302 Pounden Hall, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster, OH 44691, 330-263-2904, e-mail: fluharty.1@osu.edu