PENGARUH KEPADATAN KANDANG TERHADAP PBBH DAN EFISIENSI PERTUMBUHAN DOMBA EKOR GEMUK DI SAUDAGAR FARM

Stocking density is one of the important factors in sheep fattening systems that affects animal comfort, feed intake, and growth performance. This study aimed to determine the effect of stocking density on feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and growth efficiency of fat-tailed sheep at Saudagar Farm, Cianjur Regency, West Java. The study was conducted for 60 days using 42 fat-tailed sheep housed in group pens with different stocking densities, namely 0.52, 0.41, and 0.34 m² per animal. The research method used was observational, with direct observations of feed intake and body weight gain. Data were analyzed using. The results showed that stocking density had no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed intake during the first 30 days, but had a significant effect (P<0.05) on feed intake over 60 days. Meanwhile, stocking density had no significant effect (P>0.05) on average daily gain during either the 30-day or 60-day period. This indicates that the applied stocking density variations were still within the tolerance range of the animals and did not significantly reduce growth performance. It can be concluded that stocking density affects feed intake over a longer rearing period but does not significantly affect the average daily gain of fattailed sheep. Proper stocking density management is still required to support growth efficiency, uniform feed intake, and animal welfare in fattening systems.