The effect of different processing methods of linseed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and ruminate behaviour of lambs

BACKGROUND: Oilseeds such as linseed, canola and sunflower contain unsaturated fatty acids that play important functions in the body. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different levels of processing linseed on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood parameters and ruminate behaviour of lambs. METHODS: Fifty‐six Moghani male lambs (3 months of age, initial average body weight = 28 ± 1.2 kg) were allocated to seven experimental diets in randomized design (eight lambs per each treatment). The experimental diets were as follows: (1) control diet (without linseed), (2) 5% raw linseed, (3) 10% raw linseed, (4) 5% micronized linseed, (5) 10% micronized linseed, (6) 5% extruded linseed and (7) 10% extruded linseed. Lambs were fed ad libitum a basal diet as total mixed ration consisting of 25% concentrate and 75% hay. RESULTS: The results showed that linseed level and processing method had no significant effect on dry matter intake. Average daily gain, final body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in lambs were affected by experimental diets. The use of 10% micronized linseed and 10% of extruded linseed in the lambs’ diet improved dry matter and crude protein digestibility significantly (p < 0.001). Blood glucose concentration observed for lambs fed 10% of micronized or extruded linseed (LS) was not different from that observed in other groups, only from the values shown by lambs fed diets 1 (control) and 2 (5% raw LS). The lowest cholesterol and the highest blood urea nitrogen concentrations were related to lambs fed the control diet (p < 0.001). Feeding processed linseed relative to control diet had no effect on feeding behaviour in lambs. CONCLUSION: Results of this research showed that the use of extruded and micronized linseed at the level of 10% can improve FCR, nutrient digestibility, and blood parameters.