EFFECT OF CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION DURING PREGNANCY ON PERFORMANCE OF NATIVE EWES IN COASTAL ODISHA

摘要

The nutrient demand is increased in animals during gestation due to higher requirement of nutrients for the growth of foetus and the ensuing lactation (Picciano, 2003). In ewes, energy requirement increases by 50% above maintenance in late pregnancy (ICAR, 2013). This is a point of concern in late pregnancy when physical fill limitation and other metabolic or endocrine factors may decrease intake. So, at this time if intake declines, appropriate modification in nutrient density is necessary to ensureadequate nutrient intake. Otherwise, ewes will experience negative energy balance which could lead to rapid mobilization of fat reserves and subsequent hepatic lipidosis and pregnancy toxaemia. Hence, concentrate supplementation in late pregnancy can help to compensate for low dietary energy availability. A study was undertaken to investigate the effects of supplementing concentrate feed to native ewes in late pregnancy on body weight change before and afterlambing.