The effect of prina (olive cake) feeding methods on growth performance and behaviour of Awassi lambs

This study was carried out to investigate whether prina (olive cake) affects growth performance when given in diet or separately in choice feeding. Twenty four Awassi lambs were divided into three groups control, prina and choice. Control lambs were fed on lamb grower contained 18% crude protein. Prina lambs were fed on a diet that 20% prina diluted concentrate feed including 20% crude protein. Choice lambs were offered a choice of concentrate feed and prina simultaneously. Treatments did not affect lambs growth performance negatively. Prina in concentrate and choice feeding increased ruminating behaviour without affecting animal health, suggesting that prina can be used in lamb nutrition to lower feed cost. However, lambs voluntarily consumed prina in smaller amount about 3.6% of diet, most likely due to its wooden content.