Effect of restricted feeding, breed and diet on sheep milk yield

Abstract

Seventy-two lactating ewes (36 Awasee and 36 Sawakny) were used to determine the effects of restriction of dry matter intake, breed and diet on performance. Ewes were fed dry matter either at normal level (3% of body weight) or 15% less. Three treatment A, B, C had 80, 70 or 60% complete feed with remaining Rhodes grass hay (Chlorus gayana), respectively. Daily milk yield was significantly (P<0.01) higher in Awasee ewes on diet A and on normal dry matter intake. Feeding ewes on complete feed with Rhodes grass hay in ratio of 80 to 20 produced more milk with less feed dry matter intake and better feed efficiency. © GSP, India.