Reproductive Performance of Ewes, Fed Flushing Diet at Different Management Feeding Program.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> There is very rare information regarding data of reproduction performance of small ruminant with different management flushing program in Asian countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of flushing diet program containing lemuru fish oil with time management difference, by evaluating the reproductive performance of local Garut ewes. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Twenty of garut ewes (average body weight 30.06±6.20 kg) were used in this experiment using Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD), in four treatments with five animals of each treatment. The treatments were without flushing (F0 as control), flushing at the beginning of mating (F1 = 2 weeks pre-mating until 2 weeks just after-mating), two times flushing (F2 = F1 plus 4 weeks flushing during mid gestation) and three times flushing (F3 = F2 plus 2 weeks flushing at the end of gestation and 2 weeks after parturition). The ratio of flushing or basal concentrate to forage was 70:30. Basal concentrate was given during untreated. Nutrients consumption, body condition score (BCS), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and reproduction parameters were evaluated. The data of sex ratio and birth type were expressed descriptively. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that the treatment had significant effect (p<0.05) on crude fat consumption, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and changes of BCS values, but had no effect on other nutrients consumptions. All treatments did not affect to total birth weight, the number of embryo, litter size, gestation period and sex ratio. The percentage of ewes pregnancy with the flushing treatment was 25% higher than the control. The flushing treatments were significantly effect on partus weight of ewes (p<0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> It was concluded that three times flushing program at early, middle and late of gestation could improve the nutritional status and reproductive performance of ewes, such as fat intake, partus weight, improved percentage of pregnancy and type of birth, but did not affect to total birth weight, litter size, pregnant period and sex ratio.

Reproductive Profile of Etawah Crossbred Does Fed Flushing Diet Containing Different Kinds of Plant Oil and Animal Fat.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Reproduction system is affected by nutrient status of the animal. Flushing is one of reproduction program where the animal should give good quality diet. This study was aimed to evaluate etawah crossbred does reproduction performance giving flushing diet with different fat sources. The fat of plant oils are sunflower and flaxseed and from animal oils are tallow and Lemuru fish. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four of Etawah crossbred does (average body weight 33.83±3.70 kg) were used in this experiment by using completely randomized block design. There are four treatments with four animals of each treatment. The treatments were flushing diet containing 5% sunflower oil (R1), 5.2% flaxseed oil (R2), 5.3% tallow (R3) and 5% Lemuru fish oil (R4). Treatment was given three weeks before and two weeks after matting, following 2 weeks before partus. During pregnant, the does were given basal diet (ratio concentrate:napier grass was 70:30). Body condition score, nutrient status, blood metabolite and hormone and also performance reproduction were evaluated. RESULTS: The nutrient consumption was same in all treatment. Blood glucose were same in all treatments but the highest blood cholesterol was in R3 during estrus and in R4 during mid gestation. The highest plasma estradiol was in R1 during early gestation, while the highest plasma progesterone was in R2 during late gestation. Litter size and birth weight were same in all treatment, while the highest total embryo was in R2 treatment. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that flaxseed oil for flushing diet was significantly increased number of total embryo.

Body Weight Gain, Nutrients Degradability and Fermentation Rumen Characteristics of Boerka Goat Supplemented Green Concentrate Pellets (GCP) Based on Indigofera zollingeriana.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Indigofera zollingeriana leguminous have been known widely to have a concentrate feed characteristic due to its high nutrient contents (crude protein, vitamin and some mineral) and its highly dry matter (DM) digestibility. This study aimed to identify the effects body weight gain, nutrients degradability, fermentation rumen characteristics and blood metabolite of Boerka goat supplemented green concentrate pellets (GCP)based on Indigofera zollingeriana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four male Boer x Kacang crossbreeds with age of approximately male phase to 6 months and average initial body weight (BW) 13±0.5 kg were used in feeding and degestion trials. The study was assigned according to randomized block design with four dietary treatments and six goats were allocated to one of four treatments in randomised block design. The animals feed was offered chopped fresh Brachiaria humidicola (ad libitum) and feed treatments were offered daily at 4.0% body weight (BW). RESULTS: The digestibility increased in line with the increasing proportion of I. zollingeriana in the green concentrate pellets (GCP). The tannin content of GCP seemed to not significantly impacted on feed intake. The daily body weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization increased as the proportion of I. zollingeriana GCP increased. Increasing of the proportion C. calotyhrsus in GCP affected the concentration of ammonia (NH3) and VFA of the rumen liquids of goat. CONCLUSION: Green concentrate pellets composing 90% I. zollingeriana gave the best results in term of daily body weight gain, feed intake, nutrient degradability, efficiency of feed utilization, rumen fermentation in Boerka goats.