25-Title: Performance of lambs fed on milk replacer and its profitability in sheep rearing

Authors: M Umesh Yadav, YB Rajeshwari, Vivek M Patil, Mahadevappa D Gouri, S Naveen Kumar, TM Prabhu and SB Prasanna

Source: Ruminant Science (2020)-9(1):119-124.

How to cite this manuscript: Yadav M Umesh, Rajeshwari YB, Patil Vivek M, Gouri Mahadevappa D, Kumar S Naveen, Prabhu TM and Prasanna SB (2020). Performance of lambs fed on milk replacer and its profitability in sheep rearing. Ruminant Science 9(1):119-124.

Abstract

The present study of 90 days duration was undertaken to investigate the performance and profitability of lambs fed on milk replacer in the rearing of local sheep (Sira strain).  Forty-five lambs were equally divided into three different treatment groups of fifteen each. The lambs in group T1 had access to ewes’ milk, in group T2, lambs were fed on ewes’ milk and milk replacer both and in group T3, lambs were fed on milk replacer only. All the groups were provided with creep ration and agase (Sesbania grandiflora). The total DMI (g/d) was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in T2 (414.87) compared to T3 (404.11) and T1 (322.95). The ADG (g) was significantly (P<0.0001) high in T2 (131.32) followed by T3 (122.22) and T1 (112.77). The FCR was significantly (P<0.0001) better for T1 (2.86). Supplementing milk replacer along with ewe’s milk is beneficial to increase body weight and average daily gain in pre-weaning and post-weaning stages.

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