The effect of replacing of alfalfa by artichoke hay on nutrient digestibility, performance and carcass characteristics of Lori-Bakhtiari lambs

The effect of replacing alfalfa by artichoke hay on nutrient digestibility، gas production parameters، performance and carcass characteristics of Lori-Bakhtiari lambs was studied. The lambs in control group received diet containing 30 percent alfalfa، 15 percent barley straw and 55 percent concentrate and in test group alfalfa hay was replaced with artichoke hay، completely. Dry matter intake was higher for test group lambs (P<0. 05)، but average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were not differed between experimental groups. Gas production rate was not differed between groups، but b fraction was higher for test group (P<0. 05). Replacing alfalfa by artichoke caused to increasing digestibility of dry matter and organic matter (P<0. 05). However، control diet had higher digestibility of crude protein and NDF (P<0. 05). After slaughter، there were no significant differences between groups in carcass characteristics and percentage of internal organs. Results of this study showed that artichoke hay could be replaced with alfalfa hay in finishing lambs diet.