Growth performances and carcass composition of Barbarine lambs: Effect of the substitution rate of soya bean cake by faba beans (Vicia faba)

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of faba beans level in the diet on lamb growth performance and carcass composition. Thirty male lambs of the fat tail Barbary breed were divided into three groups of ten on the basis of live weight (33.4±2.56 kg). Three different iso-nitrogen and iso- energetic concentrates, where soya beans cake was partially substituted by faba beans were compared (concentrates comprising 0, 100 g/kg and 200 g/kg faba beans). Lambs underwent an adaptation period of 15 days. Five lambs from each group were slaughtered after a 30 days-finishing period. The other lambs were slaughtered after a 60 days-finishing period. Lambs carcasses were dissected. Average daily gain during the first 30 days-finishing period (125 g/day) and during all the trial (75 days) (137 g/day) was similar for all dietary treatments. Faba bean levels in diets had no significant effect on the carcass quality. However, lambs fed by concentrates comprising 100 g/kg faba bean had the lowest proportion of fat in the carcass. It be concluded that carcass lambs which received faba beans were less fatty.