Effect of two types of supplement to ewes kept on dry pasture
1997
Todorov, N.A. (Thracian University, Stara Zagora (Bulgaria). Dept. of Animal Nutrition)
A herd of 124 South Bulgarian Corideall ewes was divided into two groups and fed 0.25 kg d-1 barley only or 0.3 kg d-1 concentrate mixture with 221 g kg-1 crude protein as supplements to pasture during the relatively dry period of the year. The two groups were equal in live weight, body condition score and daily milk yield. Daily milk yield was recorded every week, and live weight and body condition score every 4 weeks. Three ewes per group were fitted with harnesses and bags for collection of the faeces during 3 consecutive days every 4 weeks. Special meshwork permitted easy drainage or urine from the bags. There was a tendency towards a higher live weight gain, body condition score, daily milk yield and lignin excretion with the faeces (without lignin in supplement) in the ewes receiving concentrate mixture, compared to the barley supplemented group. Milk yield was 10 per cent higher and 8 lambs more were born from the 62 ewes fed concentrate mixture, compared to 62 ewes fed barley supplement. High protein content of concentrate mixture resulted in increased intake of dry grass.
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