Compared to antibiotic, feeding peony byproducts can improve growth performance, rumen fermentation, slaughter parameters, and meat quality of lambs.

Our objective was to determine effects of feeding lamb's peony byproducts, including stem and leaves (PSL), root (PR), and seeds meal (PSM), on growth, rumen fermentation, slaughter parameters, and meat quality. Sixty‐four lambs (14.0 ± 2.1 kg) were allocated into eight treatments based on BW: no additives (CON), 0.15% aureomycin (CONA), low/high levels of PSL (5%/10% PSL replaced 5%/10% Chinese hay), PR (basal diet with 0.5%/1.0% PR), PSM (5%/10% PSM replaced 5%/10% soybean meal). Growth, digestibility, and rumen fermentation had dose responses whereas slaughter parameters, meat quality, or amino acids indexes were not. Peony byproducts increased DMI (p < 0.001) compared to CON, but higher levels were more advantageous (p = 0.003). However, low levels of peony byproducts decreased the NH3‐N concentration, but increased total volatile fatty acids mole percent more than high levels of that (p < 0.001). All peony byproducts increased dressing percentage (p < 0.05), increased pH and tenderness than CON (p < 0.05). In addition, PSL and PSM improved amino acid profiles of meat compared to CON, and were even better than CONA (p < 0.05). Therefore, peony byproducts not only improved animal growth but also reduced the frequency of antibiotic use in animal feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]