IMPACT OF MOLASSES SUPPLEMENTATION IN DRINKING WATER ON LAMB PERFORMANCE AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Utilizing agro-industrial by-products like molasses in ruminant feed offers a cost-effective and sustainable way to reduce waste discharge and management costs. This approach enhances resource efficiency while supporting environmentally responsible livestock production. Hence, this study was aimed to assess molasses supplementation to drinking water during fattening period on lambs performance and some blood biochemical parameters. Fifteen Karayaka Turkish breed lamb were randomly (based on their live weight; weighing an average of 36.00 ± 4.62 kg) allocated to one of three treatment groups (five lambs for each treatment). Lambs feeding were as group and the study lasted 61 days. The offered diet was a standard (Total Mixed Ration) concentrate and wheat straw at ratio of 70:30, and similar amongst all treatments. While, the molasses supplementation via drinking water was varied (at a level of 0, 50, 100 ml/5L/lambs) among control and treated groups T1 and T2 respectively. Molasses supplementation had no effect (P>0.05) on the performance of experimental lambs (weekly live weigh and weight gain). Although, lambs in T2 group had numerically greater live weight (above 2 kg) at the end of the study (week8) compared to lambs control group. Blood serum metabolites such glucose, total protein, creatine, total cholesterol were not affected (P>0.05) by drinking molasses. Except, triglyceride in lambs T2 group were elevated (P<0.05) in comparison with the control groups. Blood serum minerals (Na, K, and Cl) and liver enzymes (GOP, GOT, and ALP) were not significantly (P>0.05) changed by molasses in T1 and T2 compared to C lambs. In conclusion, molasses supplementation via drinking increased (numericaaly) production (2 kg live weight), without having any detrimental effect on lambs health. This would yield a better economic outcome.