Dry Matter Intake and Milk Yield of Lactating West African Dwarf Ewes Fed RES-Based Diets

Twelve WAD ewes weighing 18.50±4.00kg were blocked by weight into three groups of four animals each in a randomized complete block design. They were kept in individual pens and fed formulated diets as supplement to a basal grass (Panicum maximum), together with fresh water ad-libitum daily. All experimental ewes were given prostaglandin F2α for synchronization of oestrus and served with herd ram as soon as signs of heat were detected. Milk samples were collected on days 1 – 5 (colostrums) and from week 2 to week 13. Milk samples were collected and stored without preservative in a freezing cabinet until required for analyses. Parameters measured and recorded were: Dry matter intake, Intake performance, Weight changes, Milk yield, Estimated weekly yield and milk yield per stage of lactation.

Treatment effects on DMI (g/BWkg^0.75/day) in late lactation (88.77, 90.58 and 99.10 for ewes on treatment A, B and C respectively) were significant (p<0.05). Mean milk yield (kg) for the entire lactation period of 13 weeks (29.60±1.70, 34.50±4.70 and 41.60±10.90 for ewes on treatment A, B and C respectively) did not show a significant treatment effect. Colostrums were characterized by higher values in their contents of milk protein, energy and butter fat than mature milk. There were positive correlations (p<0.05) between total solids with milk energy (r=0.82, 0.95 and 0.88 for diets A, B and C respectively) and milk proteins with butterfat (r=0.44, 0.67 and 0.63 for diets A, B and C respectively) for ewes fed all diets.Variations observed for the efficiency of energy utilization for milk production (%) (20.88±0.46, 19.01±1.92 and 23.51±4.98) and efficiency of protein utilization for milk production (%) (17.48±0.27, 17.77±2.08 and 19.82±4.70) for animals on treatments A, B and C, were not significant.

RES incorporation in the diets of sheep supported pregnancy and lactation without any obvious adverse effect. Therefore, RES could suitably replace such expensive conventional feedstuff like GNC in the diets of WAd sheep and its use as livestock feedstuff will reduce health hazard and stench associated with it as an environmental pollutant.