Productive and reproductive performance of ewes and growth rate of lambs as affected by non-conventional energy supplement to rations
Abstract: The study included two experiments to compare efficiency of using basic and untraditional energy sources on productive and reproductive performance of ewes and growth rate of lambs. At first experiment, twenty-four Rahmani ewes aged 3.0- 3.5 years and weighed 46.19±8.56 kg were divided into two similar groups (N=12 each). The 1st group (L) received 4021 kcal/kg/DM while the second (L1) received 4469 kcal/kg/DM Both treatments started 28 days prior-breeding season until weaning the lambs. In this experiment, live body weight (LBW) of ewes was measured during different stages of gestation. At postnatal, eight ewes and their lambs were chosen (N=4 in each energy level) to determine their LBW, suckling milk (quantity and quality) and some udder measurements. At second experiment, fourteen male Rahmani lambs (average body weight 22.72 kg at 14 weeks of age) were divided into two groups, 7 lambs / energy level (L1 and L2), to record growth rate and their blood parameters. Results in 1st experiment indicated that, LBW of ewes was significantly (P<0.05) higher with L2 than L1 at days 96 to 140 of pregnancy. The calculated reproductive parameters as pregnancy rate and litter size of ewes fed L2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher (100.00% and 1.92 %) than ewes fed L1 (83.33% and 1.40%), respectively. Ewes and their lambs in L2 group achieved booster (P<0.05) values in LBW, suckling milk (amount and composition) and udder measurements than that of L1group. However, in 2nd experiment it shown that male lambs fed L2 had lower feed intake, higher daily gain, better feed conversion and economical efficiency. Serum glucose and cholesterol of male lambs in L2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than L1 lambs while, urea level of L1 lambs was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to L2 lambs. Other serum parameters as total protein and triglyceride were slightly higher in the blood of L2 lambs compared to L1 lambs. Generally, it could recommend to use protected fat (PF) and corn steep liquor (CSL)as energy supplement for improvement of productive and reproductive performance of ewes and their suckling offspring, growth rate of lambs and their blood metabolites.
Keywords: Ewes reproduction, production, suckling milk, growth rate of lambs, blood parameters, untraditional energy
Publication year 2015
Pages 81-93
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
serial title Egyptian Journal of Sheep & Goat Sciences
ISSN 2090-0368
Author(s) from ARC
Agris Categories Animal feeding
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Ewes. Feed conversion efficiency. Growth rate. Lambs. Production. Reproduction. Suckling.
Proposed Agrovoc untraditional energy;
Publication Type Journal
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