Feeding Management of Small Ruminants as A Strategic Tool to Mitigate The Negative Impact of Climate Changes in Arid Regions of Egypt: A Case Study of Assaf Sheep

Abstract

HIS study was carried out to suggest the potential of applying some feeding strategies to reduce the effect of climate change on sheep productivity in desert areas of Egypt. The feeding programs contained several ration formulations. Three experimental groups of sheep were studied: Traditional, cut-&-carry, and Complete ration. Ewes in the second group (G2) consumed higher amounts of Atriplex (1.1kg) than those fed at pre-lambing (0.912 kg). Also, ewes in G2 were significantly heavier (P<0.05) (67.28 kg) than the first group (G1) and the third group (G3) at the lambing which was (66.57 and 65.23 kg). The overall mean value of body height for ewes was 78.44 cm, whereas the body length value was 97.48 cm. While, the overall mean value of paunch girth was 114.49 cm, whereas heart girth for sheep was 95.65 cm, respectively. We noticed that the body weight of lambs at birth was of a higher value in G2 (4.06 kg) than that found in G3 and G1, respectively. However, the total weights of lambs at birth, kg and total weights of lambs at weaning, kg higher for G2 (20.30 and 123.35 kg) compared with both the other two groups i.e. G1 (18.45 and 115.6 kg) and G3 (15.52 and 98.19 kg), respectively. It can be concluded from the above that applying some feeding programs to sheep, especially in arid regions such as Sinai, is a new strategy to mitigate the harmful effects of climate change in the coming years.

Performance of Lactating Cows Fed Rations Supplemented with Chromium Methionine, Non-protected Niacin and Yeast

“…T1 -group without supplementation; T2 -group supplemented with 5g/h/d of Cr-Met; T3-group supplemented with 10g/h/d of niacin; T4group supplemented with 10 g/h/d of yeast 1. Total feed cost (L.E/h./d)= Price of each ration ingredient x its amount consumed 2. Feed cost of Kg 4% FCM (L.E/d) = Total feed cost /average daily 4% FCM yield 3.…”