Economic benefits of flushing and supplemental feeding of salt-range ewes on Pothwar ranges of Pakistan
2003
Rafiq, M. (National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad (Pakistan). Animal Sciences Inst.) | Khan, M.F. | Aujla, K.M.
A supplemental feeding trial was conducted on yearly Salt-range ewes with a bodyweight of 26 -28 kg. Ewes grazed on a pasture dominated by Heteropogon contortus, Dichanthium annulatum, Bothriochilora ishaeum and Artistida cyananthes species of grasses. Chemical analysis showed that plant biomass contained more crude fibre (32 plus-minus 2.5 to 34 plus-minus 2.5) and less crude protein (3 plus- minus 1.5 to 6 plus-minus 1.7%) throughout the year. Dry matter percentage (air dry basis) remained almost the same (92 plus-minus 1.0). Supplement contained crude protein 16 and TDN 75%, respectively. Analysis of variance revealed that ewes at mating had lost 10-15% of initial bodyweight. However they gained bodyweight during late pregnancy with highest among ewes flushed and supplemented at CONTHS. During lactation ewes given supplement at CONTHS (74 plus-minus 40) rate gained more weight (P0.05) than CONTLS (44 plus-minus 32 g/day). Ewes with CONT treatment lost bodyweight at a rate of 6 g/day through out the lactation. Fertility rate expressed as percentage of ewes conceived per group was 66.6 percent under CONT treatment, significantly lower (P0.01) than 100% recorded under CONTLS and CONTHS treatments. Lambing percentage was almost 100% with 7% abortion in CONTLS supplemented ewes. Survival rate among lambs across the treatments was 100%. Lambs born to ewes flushed and supplemented at CONTHS (3.15 plus-minus 0.8 and 9.0 plus-minus 2.4 kg) excelled (P0.05) to those under CONTLS (2.91 plus-minus 0.53 and 8.37 plus-minus 1.5) or without any treatment (2.6 plus-minus 0.5 and 7.65 plus- minus 1.7 kg) at birth and weaning at 45 days of lactation. Lambs suckling to ewes with CONTHS (131 plus-minus 48 g/day) also grew faster during lactation than CONT (112 plus-minus 41) but similar to those (131 plus-minus 48) of CONTLS. This will generate a reliable information which can be extended to farmers in interior Pothwar region.
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