TITLE:
The Biological and Economical Feasibility of Feeding Barley Green Fodder to Lactating Awassi Ewes
AUTHORS:
Abd Rahim M. A. Saidi, Jamal Abo Omar
KEYWORDS:
Hydroponic Barley, Awassi Ewes, Performance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.5 No.2,
March
31,
2015
ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to investigate the biological and economical values of hydroponic barley (HB) on lactating Awassi ewes. A total of 48 lactating ewes were used in a feeding trial in two groups. The first was fed a regular lactation TMR ration while ewes in the second treatment were fed similar ration except that regular wheat hay was totally replaced by HB for 120 days feeding trial. Results of the experiment showed that the green fodder yield in 8 days germination cycle was 7.5 kg per 1 kg barley grains of green fodder. HB had no effects on feed intake (FI), body weight changes, milk yield, and milk composition; however, HB had positive effects on ewe’s health conditions, mortalities, conception rates and abortion. In conclusion, HB can be used as feed for lactating sheep as cost of feed can be reduced by 42%.