The Effect of Replacing Whole-Plant Corn Silage with Daylily on the Growth Performance, Slaughtering Performance, Muscle Amino Acid Composition, and Blood Composition of Tan Sheep

SIMPLE SUMMARY: To date, few studies in China and abroad have investigated the utilization of daylily. Currently, there is no literature on the evaluation of the feed utilization value of daylily. By using biological fermentation technology, we developed a formula for replacing corn silage with daylily as a feed source for Tan sheep by analyzing coated silage production, diet formulation optimization, growth performance indicators, slaughter performance indicators, carcass quality, and blood biochemical indicators. Based on the feeding test and safety evaluation, the effect of daylily silage on the growth performance and slaughter performance of Tan sheep was evaluated, and the significance of daylily for feed utilization was determined, which provided a scientific basis for further scientific and rational utilization of daylily stems and leaves as feed resources. ABSTRACT: The shortage of high-quality coarse feed resources is the main factor that restricts the development of animal husbandry in many developing countries. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing corn silage with daylily silage on the growth performance, slaughter performance, blood biochemical indicators, meat quality, and muscle amino acid composition of Tan sheep. A total of 72 healthy Tan sheep were randomly assigned to four groups. In each group, 0%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of corn silage were replaced with daylily silage (denoted as CON, HC20, HC40, and HC60, respectively). Tan sheep fed with daylily silage showed no significant adverse effects on their growth performance, meat quality, and muscle amino acid composition (p > 0.05). Some increase was observed in the carcass fat content value (GR-value, p < 0.05), thickness of backfat (p < 0.05), and the blood urea level (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the utilization of daylily silage instead of whole-plant corn silage has no adverse effects on the growth performance and meat quality of Tan sheep, thus indicating that it can partially replace whole-plant corn feed as a feed resource for Tan sheep.