Effect of Nutrition During the Last Stages of Pregnancy on Lamb Birth Weight and Growth Performance in Balkhi Ewes
Effect of Nutrition During the Last Stages of Pregnancy on Lamb Birth Weight and Growth Performance in Balkhi Ewes
Shazia Mansoor1, Muhammad Sohail2*, Saima Aslam3 and Muhammad Nauman ul Islam4
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to examine the weight gain and growth performance of Balkhi lambs and pregnant Balkhi ewes at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar Dairy Farm Malakandair. Balkhi sheeps (n=30) were purchased from the market. They were kept for ninety days including 10 days for adaptation. Animals were divided into three groups such that each group contain ten animals i.e. group A (NRC recommended diet), group B (4% more CP and 2% more TDN), and group C (conventional grazing). Weekly body weight changes were recorded on digital balance and body condition score was calculated (1-5) on weekly basis. Bodily changes of ewes were significantly higher in group B (1.73±0.13 kg/week) followed by group A (1.22±0.07 kg/week) and group C (0.85±0.03 kg/week). The similar pattern was found for birth weight of lambs (group B > group A > group C). Least growth rate of lambs was observed in group C (0.46±0.02) followed by group A (0.75±0.042) and B (0.94±0.06). The effect of different level of diets was significant (P<0.05) on body condition score (BCS) of pregnant ewe before and after lambing. It was concluded that higher Crude Protein (CP) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) supplementation to pregnant ewes improves the birth weight, growth rate of lambs and body condition scoring of ewes.
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