The Impact of Pre - Partum Feed Supplementation On Milk Yield And Composition In Sudan Desert Ewes

The present study was conducted at the University of Khartoum Farm (U. of K.) to investigate the effect of concentrate supplementation in late pregnancy on milk yield and composition, blood glucose concentration, birth weight and subsequent growth rates under the prevailing management policy. Six mature pregnant Sudan desert ewes ranging in age (4-5) years, weight (average 40kg) and parity number (parity 4) were selected. They were then divided into two groups of three animals each. Group 1 served as control, whereas group 2 served as the supplemented group. The results suggested a highly significant difference in milk yield (P<0.01). The weekly mean yield of milk of the control group was 3.8±0.29 kg and of the experimental group was 4.97±0.24kg. The moisture and total solids contents of milk of the control group were 84.42±1.37% and 15.5±1.35% respectively. The corresponding values of the two traits in the supplemented group were 86.04±1.68% and 13.96±1.68% respectively. The fat content of milk from the control group was higher (P<0.01) than the fat percentage in the supplemented group (4.26±1.48% versus 3.66±1.59%). SNF and protein content of milk from the control group also maintained significantly (P<0.05) higher values than in the supplemented group. The values of SNF were 11.00±1.14% and 10.30±0.026 %while that of protein percent were 5.79±0.65% and 5.26±1.03% respectively. The ash and lactose percentage were not affetecd by the treatment. The pre – partum supplementation of ewes affected blood glucose concentration significantly (P<0.05). The mean value of blood glucose concentration in the control group was 48.97±0.94mg/dl whereas in the experimental group was 51.34±1.10mg/dl. The effect of pre – partum supplementation on birth weight and daily live weight gain of lambs was not significant (P>0.05). The mean value of birth weight in the control group was 4.0±0.5kgs, whereas in the experimental group was 4.1±0.3kgs. The daily live weight gain of lambs in the control group was 93 gram, whereas in the experimental group it was 104grams