The effects of barley replacement by dehydrated citrus pulp on feed intake, performance, feeding behaviour and serum metabolic indicators in lambs

The citrus industry produces a wide amount of citrus pulp which can represent an alternative feed resource for feeding ruminants. However, citrus pulp also contains chemicals such as polyphenols, which can cause toxicity, limiting its use. We investigated the potential of replacing barley by dehydrated citrus pulp (DCP), at two levels of inclusion (24% and 35% on an as-fed basis), in a lamb fattening diet and monitored the performance, feeding pattern and serum parameters of the experimental lambs. The consumption of a diet containing up to 35% of DCP resulted in equivalent performance, feed efficiency and carcass weight and yield as compared with animals ingesting a cereal-based diet (control). The daily feed consumption pattern was slightly affected by the inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet. In terms of serum haematochemical profile, DCP ingesting animals had similar levels to control lambs. Pertaining to the serum protein profile, DCP addition had minor effects. A significant increase in the albumin content and in the albumin to globulin ratio was observed in the animals ingesting 35% DCP compared with the control-fed ones; but the values were not at a level to cause metabolic distress. The use of high levels of DCP in small ruminant fattening can ensure equivalent animal performances and metabolic welfare while providing a value addition to a local by-product.