Effect of time of using feed blocks as supplementary feed on the weightchanges and reproductive performance of Awassi yearling ewes depend on crop residues as basal diet

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the Effect of time of using feed blocks (FB) as supplementary feed on the weight changes and reproductive performance of Awassi yearling ewes depend on crop residues as basal diet. . Sixty Awassi yearling ewes (mean live weight 39.51 kg) aged 12-13 months were allocated into four groups according to their live weight. First group (T1) fed conventional diet (barley grains + straw). The second group (T2) fed conventional diet plus FB during pre and post mating. The third group (T3) fed conventional diet plus FB during pre and mating. The fourth group (T4) fed conventional diet plus FB during post mating. The results of this experiment showed that using FB as supplementary feed reduced the weight losses of Awassi yearling ewes. FB supplementation improved conception rate of Awassi yearling ewes as compared with control group (T1). The T2 group had the highest conception rate (86.66%) followed by T3 and T4 (73.33%) and the lowest group T1 (66.66%). Using FB during pre mating (T2, T3) reduced mating season of Awassi yearling ewes were 70-82% of these lambed from 1st cycle. Lambing percentage increased considerably due to FB supplementation. The lambing percentages were 100, 87, 80 and 73% for groups T2, T3, T4 and T1 respectively.