EFFECTS OF FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON BODY WEIGHT AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BALOCHI EWES

摘要

This study was conducted to assess the performance of Balochi ewes under three management systemsi.e. T_1-Extensive (grazing only), T_2-Semi-extensive (grazing plus daily feed supplementation for ninemonths @ 0.625 kg/ewe/day) and T_3-Intensive (experimental ration only @ 1.5625 kg/ewe/day). Animalsunder T_1 lost as high as 7.9 kg body weight during winter. T_2 flock maintained their body weights and T_3achieved significantly higher body weight (i.e. 15.1 kg). Highest conception and lambing percentages(93.8%) were attained under T_3 group, followed by T_2 (87.5%) and T_1 (75%). These results stronglyrecommend appropriate feed supplementation to small ruminants on Balochistan ranges for sustainablepastoral livelihood.