The effect of fibre-protein levels on milk parameters of West African dwarf sheep at first lambing

International Conference on Animal & Dairy Sciences

July 23-24, 2013 Embassy Suites Las Vegas, NV, USA

Adewumi O.O and Adeniran A.A

Posters: J Veterinar Sci Technolo

Abstract :

A study on the effect of dietary fibre-protein levels on milk parameters and performance of West African Dwarf ewes and their lambs at first lambing was investigated for twelve weeks. The experimental diet includes control (CTRL), low fibre high protein (LFHP), and high fibre low protein (HFLP). Diet significantly (p<0.05) influenced milk fat and fat-protein ratio of the milk, feed intake and milk off take but did not significantly (p>0.05) influenced total solids and protein content. The LFHP diet was the most consumed (P<0.05) compared to other diets and it induced higher percentage of milk offtake, fat and protein content. Lactating ewes on LFHP were significantly superior in weight, body parameters and udder dimensions except wither height and teat length that had significantly higher values in HFLP and CTRL diet respectively. Lambs on LFHP diet were significantly superior in weight and body parameters. No significant difference was detected among diets for heart girth and udder width in lactating ewes and for body length and neck circumference in their lambs. The fat/protein ratio of LFHP and CRTL diets indicated sufficient supply of energy and fiber as compared to diet on HFLP. Feed cost was highest in control diet but lowest for high fibre-low protein diet. Since dietary low fibre high protein improved the milk and body parameters, low fibre high protein (LFHP) diet should be formulated for lactating ewes to enhance the performance of WAD and their lambs at first lambing.

Biography :

Adewumi O.O completed her PhD at the age of 38 years from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria and postdoctoral studies from the State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. She has authored and co-authored more than 25 papers including journal publications and conference proceedings and serving as a reviewer for the journals of repute. She is a member of several academic and administrative committees and has served in various capacities.