Characterization of growth phenotypes and gastrointestinal tract microbiota in sheep fed with caragana

Using high‐protein caragana as an unconventional feed supplement has promising application potential in livestock feeding programmes, and verifying its function is of great importance to guide efficient dietary management of livestock. This study investigated the resulting changes in the growth, slaughter performance, serum physiological index, physical and chemical characteristics of meat, ruminal and intestine morphology and gastrointestinal tract microbiota in sheep fed with caragana (CAR), corn straw (COR) and alfalfa (ALF) diets. The CAR group showed an increased abundance of Christensenellaceae R‐7 group, Marvinbryantia, Ruminococcaceae NK4A214, Lachnospiraceae UCG‐002 and Desulfuromonas in the rumen compared with ALF, and CAR group mainly enhanced starch and sucrose metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, photosynthesis and d‐alanine metabolism in the rumen compared with ALF. CAR diet positively changed the fatty acid profile of longissimus dorsi muscle and significantly altered the composition and function of the microbiota in the rumen, ileum and cecum. This study systematically demonstrated the feasibility of CAR as an alternative to ALF for animal fattening in a complete formula granulated feed and provided a fundamental basis for further research and development of CAR as an unconventional feed source for ruminants.