Effect of Supplementary Crushed Rapeseed on Ewes and Lambs Performance of Salt Range Sheep
Effect of Supplementary Crushed Rapeseed on Ewes and Lambs Performance of Salt Range Sheep
Momina Raheem1, Muhammad Fiaz2*, Muhammad Mushtaq1, Umana Niazi1, Evelyn Saba3 and Mansoor Abdullah3
ABSTRACT
Study was designed with aim to determine varying levels of supplementary crushed rapeseed (CRS) a month before and two months after lambing on ewe’s and lamb’s performance in Salt Range sheep. Pregnant sheep (n = 12) were chosen and divided into 3 equal treatment groups. Ewes in control (T0), T1 and T2 treatment groups were supplemented with CRS at 0, 25 and 50 g/d, respectively. Data of parameters were collected and analyzed through ANOVA technique using SAS 9.3 Portable and Sigma Plot Software under Completely randomized design. Weight gain of ewes was increased (P<0.05) substantially throughout period with CRS 25g/d and 50g/day but difference amongst treatment was not significant. The weight of the lambs at birth and 7th day age was increased (P<0.05) with CRS 25g/d and 50g/d as compared to control but no difference (P>0.05) was found between treatments. The higher survival rate of lambs (P<0.05) was found in CRS 25 g/d, followed by 50 g/d and then 0 g/d. Milk constituents; solid not fat, density, lactose, minerals and protein were increased (P<0.05) with increasing rate of dietary supplementation of CRS except fat percentage. In case of blood parameters, effect of dietary supplementation of CRS was found variable. It is concluded that 25 g/d CRS is an optimum dietary supplementation level a month before and two months after lambing for adequate weight gain and milk quality in terms of all constituents except fat percent in Salt Range ewes as rapeseed has gross energy 6420 kcal/kg and crude proteins 18.6% which plays an important role in nutritional and food applications. This dietary supplementation level in grazing ewes can also trigger better birth weight and survival rate in newly born lambs.
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