Studies on feed intake and feed utilization by sheep I. Voluntary feed intake of dry, pregnant and lactating ewes

Abstract

1. The feed intake of four dry and of twenty pregnant and lactating ewes has been measured. Hay and dried grass cubes alone or in combination were studied on indoor conditions by direct measurement of intake and digestibility while the intake on grazing was measured by the chromic oxide-faecal nitrogen method.2. For dry sheep, hay (61% O.M. digestibility) limited intake to 780 g. D.O.M./day and with added grass cubes there was a steady increase so that intake with cubes alone (although their apparent O.M. digestibility was 56%) was 1140 g. B.O.M./day. Pregnant ewes showed similar intakes and only with ewes carrying twins and triplets was there a slight decline in intake with advancing pregnancy.3. The digestibilities of the diets were similar for pregnant, and lactating ewes.