PERBEDAAN FREKUENSI PEMBERIAN PAKAN DOMBA JANTAN PRIANGAN TERHADAP PERTAMBAHAN BOBOT BADAN HARIAN DAN KONSUMSI DI SAUDAGAR FARM

This study aimed to examine the differences in feeding frequency on feed consumption and daily body weight gain (DGB) of Priangan rams at Saudagar Farm, Cianjur Regency, West Java. The study was conducted for 60 days using 18 Priangan rams with an average initial weight of ±16 kg kept in individual pens. The study design used two feeding frequency treatments, namely P1 with twice daily feeding (07:00 and 13:00) and P2 with four times daily feeding (07:00, 09:00, 13:00, and 15:20), each consisting of nine rams. The feed provided consisted of concentrate and green fodder. Observed variables included feed consumption, daily body weight gain, and feed conversion. Data were analyzed using an independent t-test. The results showed that differences in feeding frequency had no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed consumption, but did have a significant effect (P<0.05) on daily body weight gain and feed conversion. Treatment P1 produced better ADG and feed conversion efficiency than P2. Therefore, twice-daily feeding is considered more effective and efficient in improving the growth performance of Priangan rams in a fattening system.