A note on flushing on reproductive performance of Bharat Merino ewes

摘要

The practice of feeding ewes well so that they gain in weight prior to and during the breeding season is called flushing (kammalade and Kammalade. 1955). This traditional sheep husbandry practice of temperature region is aimed at improving the lambing rate (to reduce the barrenness otherwise), mainly, if not entirely, through increased proportion of twinning (Owen, 1976). Though the physiological basis is poorly understood till date, a change on to quality pasture, aftermath and trough feed have all been used by different flock mastersw with reputed success (Fraser and Stamp, 1987). However, only a few trials have been reported on the use of flushing to improve fecundity in tropical and sub-tropical sheep (Gatenby, 1986; About-Ela and About-Naga, 1987). Except for a solitary work in sheep (Honomode et aL, 1971) and goat (Gour and Mishra, 1981), no literature of Indian origin could be traced to the best of the authors' knowledge. Thus, a trial was conducted to study the effect of increasing the quantum of ration for six weeks before commencement of anticipated breeding season on twining rate and survivability of twins was studied in Bharat Merino ewes at sub temperate ambience of Kodai hills.