Background:

Ovines will contribute with a large share of proteins to the Cuban Population. However, the current productive results are far from their real potential. The aim of the study was to evaluate the productive performance of growing female Pelibuey ovines confined to pens with raised flooring or under restricted grazing

Methods:

A 60-day experiment was conducted on El Hoyo ovine farm at UEB (Basic Production Unit) Maraguan, municipality of Jimaguayú, Camagüey, Cuba. Overall, forty 6-month old female Pelibuey ovines, 16 ± 0.5 kg LW, were chosen and split in two treatment groups: stabling on raised flooring and semi-stabling with grazing on native graminaceae, following a randomized design. Analysis of covariance considered the initial weights as covariable, which were adjusted to 16.663 kg. The animals were weighed every 30 days, and daily weight gains were estimated.

Results:

The group lodged in the pens with raised flooring achieved final weights and gains above (P ≤ 0.01) the grazing group (24.39 kg and 0.150 kg, 22.34 kg, and 0.099 kg, respectively). Food conversion of the penned animals was also higher (8.9 vs 11.4 kg of DM/kg of gain).

Conclusions:

The performance of growing Pelibuey females confined to pens with raised flooring (wooden floorboards) was higher concerning weight at 60 days, mean daily gain, and conversion of foods served in the trough, in relation to restricted grazing.