Effect of niacin supplementation on milk production and composition and lamb performance of sheep ewes

摘要

A group of 10 pregnant Awassi ewes was used in this study in order to evaluate the effect of niacin supplementation onmilk yield, milk composition and lamb performance. The animalswere divided into two equal groups. Ewes of the first group (experimental group) were given the niacin diet supplement (100ppm/head/day), where niacin was hand-mixed into the concentrate and supplementation was given eight weeks after the adjustment period (two weeks).Animals of the second group served as the control group and were fed niacin-free diet. The feeding systemwas individually and the group diets were offered in two equal proportions at 06H30 and at 18H30 in sufficient amounts (ad-libitum). The results showed that ewes receiving niacin diet supplement producedmoremilk, consumedmore food, and their lambs were slightly heavy than those of the control group (especially in the first week of treatment) There was no difference in the milk fat and milk protein percentage for either supplemented niacin group or control group. In consequence, the addition of crystalline niacin to the diet ofAwassi ewes had a little effect onmilk yield and lamb performance, but not on milk composition (fat and protein).