Effect of balanced concentrate ration on the performance and hematobiochemical profile of lactating native ewes and lambs in coastal Odisha

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of balanced concentrate ration during lactation on the growth performance, blood and metabolic profiles of native ewes and lambs in coastal Odisha. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 numbers of lactating ewes of the same parity comprised the experimental animals. The selected ewes were randomly assigned to two groups of twenty each, maintaining uniformity in body weight (13.36±0.33 kg for Group 1 and 13.48±0.37 kg for Group 2). Group 1 was maintained on grazing only while Group 2 was supplemented with a balanced concentrate mixture @ 200 g/head/day during the first 2 months of lactation. The concentrate was fed individually in separate containers in the morning hours before the animals were taken out for grazing. Results: The ewes in Group 2 registered higher body weights at every fortnight. The differences were found to be highly significant (p<0.01) from 2nd to 5th fortnight and significant (p<0.05) for the remaining fortnights. The ewes in Group 2 showed significantly (p<0.01) higher daily gains than those in Group 1 at every fortnight. The hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) and total leukocyte count (TLC) values were significant (p<0.05) between groups at the end of 4th fortnight after lambing and the mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) values is significantly (p<0.05) higher in Group 2 over Group 1. Conclusion: It was concluded that supplementation of a balanced concentrate mixture (crude protein 18.21%) @ 200 g/ewe/day along with grazing during the first 2 months of lactation resulted in higher ewe body weight gain. It improved their hematological and metabolic profiles and also resulted in higher body weight gain in lambs born to these supplemented ewes.