EFFECT OF CREEP FEEDING OF LAMBS AND PLANE OF NUTRITION OF EWES ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF EWES DURING SUCKLING PERIOD

The aim of the present work was to test the effect of offering ewes different levels of NRC requirements (1975) with feeding its lambs creep feeding on milk yield and composition and growth of produced lambs from birth until weaning. Fifty four local Egyptian ewes (average 3-4 years old and of an average live body weight of 41.6 kg) at lambing were used in this study. Experimental ewes were divided after lambing directly into three equal groups (18 ewes each). In the 1st group (G1), ewes received 100 % of NRC requirements. In the 2nd group (G2), ewes received 85 % of NRC requirement and those in the 3rd group (G3) were received 70 % of NRC requirements. Within each experimental group, ewes were divided into two equal subgroups (9 ewes each). Lambs of the first subgroup were fed additional ration during suckling period through creep feeding, while in the 2nd subgroup; lambs were maintained without any additional ration. Results showed that overall mean of milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk yield (4% FCM), fat percentage and fat yield of ewes at different days after lambing were not affected significantly by creep feeding. However, at day 60 after lambing, percentages of total solids and solids not fat were affected significantly (P<0.05) due to creep feeding. Percentages of ash, total solids and solids not fat in ewe's milk were affected significantly at days 30 and 45 after lambing by level of NRC requirements. No significant difference due to creep feeding and level of requirements in ewe's body weights at different days after lambing. Lamb daily gain at fourth weeks of age improved significantly (P<0.05) due to creep feeding. Also, daily gain of lambs from birth to weaning was compatible to the data of overall mean of 4% FCM yield.