Vol. 10, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Author(s): K Naveena, MK Jyosthna, B Hem Kumar and K Madhuri

Abstract: The present study was conducted with an objective to measure the beneficial effects on supplementing the concentrate feed (18% CP) during last trimester of gestation and creep feed (16% CP) to lambs. A total of 24 ewes (25±1.4 kg) which were in their last trimester of gestation were selected and randomly allotted to two groups (control and treatment group) of 12 each. The ewes in treatment group were supplied with 250g of concentrate feed per day throughout the last trimester of gestation and continued till weaning period and the lambs born to treatment group were supplemented with creep feed @50g/day for first 15 days and then increased to 75g/day for next 15 days and afterwards with 100g/day for next 15 days. Supplementation of concentrate feed during last trimester of gestation has a profound effect on body weight gain of ewes (6.5±1.5 Vs 4.9±0.9 kg)which in turn affected the birth weight of lambs in a positive way (3.3±0.2 Vs 2.2±0.2 kg). Along with this, the occurrence of ROP and dystocia has drastically reduced in the treatment group by 25% and 16.7%, respectively. Further, supplementation of creep feed to lambs from young age (i.e., 15 days of age) has a profound effect on bodyweight gain (10.4±0.5 Vs 6.8±2.9 kg). This study proved that additional supplementation of concentrate feed to pregnant ewes and creep feed to lambs has a combined effect in acquiring higher body weight of lambs which in turn has a positive effect on benefit cost ratio of sheep farm.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i2a.2047