Effect of organic selenium and chromium on sheep performance in finalization. Technical note [Efecto del selenio y cromo orgánicos sobre el comportamiento de ovinos en finalización. Nota técnica]

In order to evaluate the effect of chelated minerals, salts with chromium and selenium in sheep for meat production, 24 intact male lambs (25.66 ± 3.63 kg initial live weight) were housed in individual cages in a completely randomized design with three treatments: Control (C); Nucleus 1 (N1) (Cr 0.3 mg/kg and 0.3mg/kg) and Nucleus 2 (N2) (Cr 0.4 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg). The assay lasted 45 days in which were recorded daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion, partial efficiency of feed utilization (PEFU; expressed as the slope of the regression between DMI and ADG), back fat and chop area. No differences were found for daily gain, intake and feed conversion (P>0.05). However, when comparing premixes the premix N1 showed a better (P<0.05) FEFU (C 0.22b; N1 0.33b and N2 0.52a). The back fat and chop area also did not show treatment effects (P>0.05). There was no response in the productive variables to supplement premixes and based in Cr and Se concentrations between 0.3 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg in sheep in finalization.

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