Major Feed Resources and Effect of Flushing on Production and Reproductive Performance of Arsi Bale Ewes in Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2024
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the major feed resources and effect of flushing on production and reproductive performance of Arsi Bale ewes in Arsi Zone. For survey part, two districts, Tiyo and Digelunatijo from Arsi zone were purposively selected based on sheep population, and three Peasant Associations (PAs) from each districts were selected randomly. A total of 200 HHs were taken. Feed sample of natural pasture and barley straw was collected from ten (10) randomly selected HHs from each PAs. Feed samples collected were mixed, dried, packed individually and taken to Holeta Agricultural Research Center for laboratory analysis of Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Ash, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Lignin, In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility, In Vitro Organic Matter Digestibility and Metabolizable Energy. On the other hand, effect of flushing on production and reproductive performances of Arsi Bale ewes was also tested. A feeding trial was conducted using 24 Arsi Bale ewes. The ewes were purchased from the Sagure market of Arsi Zone at their 7 to 8 months of age. The treatments are T1 (hay+350 g of barley grain), T2 (hay+287.5 g of barley grain), T3 (hay+225 g of barley grain) and T4 (the control diet). All ewes, except in the control diet were supplemented for three weeks prior to mating and four weeks after mating. Two mature rams of Arsi Bale breed were purchased for mating. After three weeks of the feeding period, the rams were set free in the flock for 35 days. Reproductive performances of ewes were assessed by taking records on Conception Rate, Lambing Rate, Abortion Rate, Litter Size and Pre Weaning Lambs Mortality Rate; and Production characteristic was assessed by taking records on lambs birth and weaning weight (at three months of age) and body weight of dam before and after flushing. For survey part, collected data were stored in Microsoft Excel spread sheet. Data analyses were carried out by using SPSS version 2019, software. Chemical composition of both feed types was subjected to analysis of variance using a GLM procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS) version 9.1 (SAS, 2002). The Pearson Chi-Square was used to determine mean differences at (p < 0.05) for qualitative variables. Data on production and reproductive was analyzed using R 4.2.2, 2023soft ware. Tukey HSD test was employed for separation of treatment means differences at (p < 0.05). The results of the field survey in the present study revealed that natural pasture contributes the largest proportion (53%) in Tiyo and (55%) in Digelunatijo of sheep feed which is followed by crop residue (30%) and (33%) in Tiyo and Digelunatijo, respectively. On the other hand 16 % in Tiyo and 10% in Digelunatijo use both natural pasture and crop residues. The overall mean of DM, Ash, CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, IVDMD, IVOMD and ME content of natural grasses respectively were 89.5%, 5.4%, 20.1%, 68.5%, 37.1%, 5.0%, 55.8%, 43.8% and 7.4 MJ/kg DM. The corresponding values for barley straw were also 90.9%, 5.6%, 5.4%, 70.7%, 54.05%, 9.6% and 8.25MJ/kg.
In terms of reproductive and production characteristics, the conception rate of ewe was 83% for T1 and 100% for T2, T3 and T4 and revealed as there were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the treatments that ewes fed, while lamping rate was 120%, 100% and 83.3% and 66.7% for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and there is a significant difference (p<0.05) between treatment groups. There was a significant differences (p<0.05) on the litter size from ewe under T1 and T2 and where all ewe in the first two treatment group gave twin births. Lamb mortality rate was high under T3 and T4 than the first two treatment group. In terms of production characteristic, the average body weight (BW) of dam before flushing was 21.5kg, 22.6kg, 22kg and 22.2kg for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and the corresponding results for average dam BW after flushing was 25kg, 23.8kg, 23.2kg and 22.5kg. On the other hand, the birth weight of lambs was 2.3 kg, 2.1 kg, 2. 3 kg and 1.8 kg for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and the average weaning weight (three months of age) of lambs was 11.3 kg, 10.3 kg, 9.9 kg T1, T2and T3, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) on average weaning birth and weight of lambs. From the above results, it was concluded that, natural pasture and crop residue (mainly barley straw) are the main sheep feed in the studied areas, and good production and reproductive performances were seen under T1 and T2, so flushing ewes with 350g (T1) and 287.5g (T2) barley grain are recommended. Conducting other research by different types of feed like concentrate at different feeding rate is recommended and also flushing ewes after first parity is recommended.
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Keywords
Arsi-Bale ewes, Barley grain, Flushing, Natural grass hay, Reproductive performance