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The Intake and Performance of Pregnant Ewes In-Wintered on Straw-Based Diets

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 November 2017

J. M. Haigh ,
M. E. King ,
B. J. Keeling  and
D. M. Inglis
J. M. Haigh
Affiliation:
The North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
M. E. King
Affiliation:
The North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
B. J. Keeling
Affiliation:
The North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
D. M. Inglis
Affiliation:
The North of Scotland College of Agriculture, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD Scottish Veterinary Investigation Service, Mill of Craibstone, Bucksburn, Aberdeen
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Extract

Limited work has been carried out on straw feeding to pregnant ewes. The present study aimed to assess intake and performance of ewes when fed diets based on either barley or pea straw.

One hundred and forty mule ewes were randomly allocated to basal diets of pea or barly straw 15 weeks prior to lambing and allowed access to straw prior to housing to allow diet familiarisation. Pregancy diagnosis was performed at 75-80 days of gestation using real time ultrasound scanning. All in-lamb ewes were housed and grouped according to predicted foetal load. Ewe liveweight and condition was assessed at housing, 6 and 4 weeks prior to lambing and immediately after lambing.

Straw was available ad libitum and was supplemented with 400 g/day distillers dark grains. From 6 weeks prior to lambing whole barley with an inclusion of 15% fishmeal was fed twice daily up to a level of 600 g/day for ewes carrying twins and triplets and 400 g/d for ewes carrying singles.

Type
Developments in Sheep Production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1988 , March 1988 , pp. 98
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1988

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