Effect of Adding Biochar to Ration on Productive Performance and Some Carcass Characteristics of Iraqi Awassi Lambs

Abstract

This study was conducted at Department of Animal production farm College of Agriculture University of Tikrit from 6/12/2017 until 21/2/2018 (77days) . Sixteen Awassi lambs were used, aged 4-5 months and average weight 23.38±0.14 Kg . Lambs were divided in to four groups (four lambs at each group) according to their weight, treatments distributed randomly into the groups.Individual feeding was used which included four concentrate diet with different levels of biochar (0% ,1% , 2% and 3% ).Statistical analysis results showed that there was a significant increase (P<0.05) in the final weight for second group (1% biochar) compared with fourth group, also result showed a significant increase (P<0.05) for second group in the average daily gain and final body gain and feed conversion ratio compared with third and fourth groups. Also significant increase (P> 0.05) in the second group in hot and cold carcass weight and in the percentage Dressing based on hot and cold weight, relative to live weight as well as empty body weight and in Rib-eye muscle area compared with the other groups.