LAUSR

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of dietary sepiolite supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters and rumen fluid metabolites in Merino cross breed lambs. For this purpose, a total of 21 weaned lambs, which were 3–3.5 months of age were allocated to one control group and two treatment groups each containing 7 lambs. The experiment lasted for a total of 90 days, of which the adaptation and experimental periods were 22 and 68 days, respectively. Pelleted alfalfa and concentrates were given to lambs individually. Concentrate diets of first and the second treatment groups were supplemented with 1 and 2% sepiolite as top dressed, respectively. There were no significant differences observed in body weights, body weight gains, hot and cold carcass yields, meat pH and meat composition among the groups. Relative weights of internal organs and carcass parts were also not affected by sepiolite supplementation. The addition of 1 and 2% sepiolite to the diets of animals increased the consumption of concentrates and total dry matter intake (P