Abstract

LOPEZ, Y; ARECE, J; OJEDA, F  and  AROSTICA, N. Effect of the inclusion of the Sorbifauna probiotic on lamb growth. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.1, pp. 109-118. ISSN 0864-0394.

With the objective of evaluating the effect of the inclusion of the Sorbifauna probiotic on lamb growth, a study was conducted during the dry season (November-March) at the Experimental Station «Indio Hatuey», Matanzas province, Cuba. The live weight and its variability according to parturition type were determined in 36 Pelibuey lambs. The data were processed through the program SPSS® version 15.0 for Windows®. A slight effect of the probiotic use on lamb live weight was detected in the last lactation days, with significant differences (p<0,05) as compared to the control. In the first three months no significant differences were observed in the mean daily gain, between treatments; however, after 120 days the group which received the probiotic was significantly higher (p<0,05) than the control (151 vs 99 g/animal/day). The live weight of the lambs with regards to the parturition type showed little variation during their first months of life. Since the lambs were 105 days old until weaning, the values were higher in the group with probiotic. It is concluded that during the first two months of life no effect of the probiotic was observed on the performance of live weight in the lambs, independently from the parturition type; after 60 days there was effect of Sorbifauna, which was remarkable 120 days after birth.

Keywords : Growth; probiotics; sheep.

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