EFFECT OF BASAL DIET SUPPLEMENTATION DURING FLUSHING ON MERINO EWES PERFORMANCE IN THE FOOTHILLS AGROECOLOGICAL ZONE OF LESOTHO

Pontso Alice Ntjelo, Oluwabiyi Ikeolu Atanda Oluremi, Nchele Kuleile and Setsomi Molapo

International Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Research, 2025, vol. 11, issue 05

Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of flushing on the growth and reproductive performance of merino ewes in the Foothills Agro-ecolological Zone of Maseru district in Lesotho. One hundred and sixty (160) 4-5-year old ewes maintained on rangeland pasture were chosen in the month of May during normal breeding season and were randomly divided in treated (Group 1) and untreated group (Group 2) having 132 and 28 ewes consecutively. Group one ewes were offered the supplemental diet while group two ewes were kept on the rangeland to feed on the rangeland grasses (control). All ewes in group one was flushed for two weeks before mating and four weeks during mating period. Flushing was done in the morning before ewes went to graze, and supplemental feed was given to ewes at the rate of 200 g/ewe/day, three days in a week at alternate days. Ewes were naturally mated with rams at the ratio of 1:20. The growth performance and reproductive indices of pregnant ewes were recorded. The results obtained indicated that, basal diet supplementation improved live body weight of ewes significantly (P < 0.05) and flushed ewes had higher (P ˂ 0.05) body weight gain and pregnancy rate.

Keywords: Livestock; Production/Industries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:ijaeri:376237

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.376237

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