Effect of plane of nutrition on reproductive performance in barki ewes 2gestation and lambing

ABSTRACT

The experiment was carried out on three groups of Barky ewes fed on maintenance ration. Additional supplement was offered three months premating. The first group was supplemented by high protein supplement [36.6% total protein and 2.4 Mcal/kg digestible energy]. The second group was supplemented by low protein level [11.9% total protein and 3% Mcal/kg digestible energy], and the 3rd group was kept on maintenance ration and used as control. The results revealed that the level of supplementation had a nonsignificant effect on both gestation length and the sex of the offspring. On the contrary, progesterone concentration showed significant [P <0.05] decrease in the two supplemented groups. Lambing rates averaged 100, 90 and 100% in the 3 groups, respectively, without twining. Sex ratio of newly born averaged 1.5, 0.67 and 0.67, respectively, and lamb birth weight was significantly [P <0.01] heavier in ewes supplemented with high protein level than in either those supplemented with low protein level or in the control group. It is recommended to keep Barky ewes at the premating period on high level protein supplement to improve health condition which reflected on the crop