Effect of substituting barley grain with wet sugar beet pulp silage on some blood metabolites in lambs

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of substituting grain barley with we sugar beet pulp (WSBP) silage prepared with wheat bran (WSBPS) at different levels on some blood parameters of lambs. A barley grain based controldiet was prepared. Then, three experimental diets wereprepared bysubstituting 35, 70and 100% of barleygrain with WSBPS (35, 70 and 100% WSBPS diets). Moreover, negative control was also established. A total of sixty, 6–7 month old male Akkaraman lambs with 24.29+1.50 kg mean body weight were used in the study. These lambs were fed one of five diets for a period of 75 days. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the experiment. Serum glucose, total protein, BUN, phosphorus, and calcium levels were determined. Serum BUN and phosphorus levels were similar at the beginning and end of the experiment (P>0, 05). Serum glucose levels were significantly higher in control, 100% WSBPS and negative control whereas Ca level was higher in all groups, except negative control at the end of experiment (P<0, 05). Total protein levels were significantly lower in 70 and 100% WSBPS (P<0, 05). All of the parameters, except BUN level were statistically similar among groups at the end of the experiment. In conclusion, substituting barley with wet sugar beet pulp silage did not have significant effects on blood parameters, except BUN. Substituting barley with WSBPS could be an alternative feeding strategy for farmers without affecting animal health based on the results of this experiment.