Abstract:

To investigate the effects of different silage on the growth performance of Hu sheep, this study formulated two dietary treatments: one fed with silage of Zizania latifolia sheath leaves and the other fed with silage of mixed Zizania latifolia sheath leaves and maize straw. Feed intake, growth performance, and economic benefits of Hu sheep were compared and analyzed. The results showed that silage of mixed Zizania latifolia sheath leaves and maize straw had better palatability than the silage of Zizania latifolia sheath leaves. Under quantitative restricted feeding conditions, there were no significant differences in initial weight, final weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, or feed-to-gain ratio between the two treatments. The silage of mixed Zizania latifolia sheath leaves and maize straw had a lower unit price, combined with the higher daily weight gain of Hu sheep, resulted in a higher economic benefit. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, the silage of mixed Zizania latifolia sheath leaves and maize straw exhibited better palatability and feeding effect compared with the silage of Zizania latifolia sheath leaves.

Key words: silage, Hu sheep, Zizania latifolia sheath leaves, maize straw, feeding effect