Effect of some feeding schemes on some rumen parameters, blood profile and productive performance of rahmani sheep [electronic resource].

Includes references.

This work was carried out on Rahmani ewes to investigate the effect of some feeding schemes on productive performance as well as some rumen and blood parameters. Fifty pregnant ewes were divided into five equal groups and fed according to NRC (1985) allowances. Treatments tested were given 80% NRC of both total digestible nutrient (TON) and crude protein (CP) (G1), 100% NRC of both TON and CP (G2), 120% NRC of both TON and CP (G3), 80% CP and 120% TON (G4) and 120% NRC of CP and 80% TON (G5). The animals were in the late pregnancy period and continued for 60 days of lambing (or weaning). The main results showed that daily feed intake during the late pregnancy period was lowe,r than that consumed dUring the suckling period. The daily water consumption recorded the highest values with G1 (421.5 and 558.7 mllkgw0 7S for late pregnancy and suckling periods, respectively). Whereas the lowest vaiues were recorded with G::' (324.2 and 450.6 mllkgwO.7S for late pregnancy and suckling periods, respectively). Thl~ NH3-N concentration post-feeding increased with increasing feeding level and lor dietary protein. Similarly, microbial protein values were higher with G3 and it's recorded the highest values at all times. Moreover, ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA's) concentr.ation at the 4 and 6 hrs were significantly higher in rumen of ewes fed 100% (G2) and n,igh level of energy (G3 and G4) compared to G1 and G5 (low level of energy). Concentration of hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit values (Hct). red blood cells (RBC's), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBC's) and platelets in ewes serum were higher in G3 than the other groups. Also, ewes fed 80% NRC (G1) had significantly lower values of serum Urea- N, uric acid, cholesterol, calcium and ALT than these fed 120% NRC (G3). At the late pregnancy period, the concentration of creatinine, uric acid, cholesterol, triglyceride and activities of serum AST, ALT and ALP increased significantiy than during the suckling period. On the contrary, serum !llucose concentration was highest in the suckling period than in the late pregnancy period. The highest value of live body weight at lambing was recorded with G3 then G2 followed by G4 and G5 and lastly G1. Also, LBW of ewes at the weaning was lower in G1 than in other groups. Ewes given 100% NRC (G3) were lower in still birth cases than Ihese fed the olller rations. The total number of still birth lambs were recorded the highest value with G1 and G5 and the lowest values were detected wilh G2. Thus, output measured as kilograms lambs produced per ewe improved significantly due to the both treatment G2 and G3. Accordingly, the economic efficiency was higher wilh G2 compared the other groups.

Summary in Arabic.

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