The study of male effect on the incidence of estrus and feeding behavior of Afshari ewes

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of male on the incidence of estrous and feeding behavior of Afshari ewes. Forty-eight Afshari ewes، 3 years old، 67±2 kg live weight، body condition score 3، along with 10 Afshari rams were used to study the effects of male effect on feeding behavior of Afshari ewes in breeding season. The study was performed during a period of 6 weeks in complementary randomized design. Ewes were equally divided into three treatments (T1، T2 and T3) along with a control treatment (T4) having 6 animals in each group. Variable factors of treatments was the distance of the ram box (from the ewes)، which was determined to be the T1 (0-5 meters)، T2 (10-15 meters) and T3 (25-30 meters). Exposure of the ewes to the rams resulted in an earlier incidence of estrous signs (P<0. 05). Moreover the total recorded estrous signs were significantly affected by the distance from the rams (P<0. 05). The results of study showed a difference in feed intake of the ewes due to the distance from ram (P<0. 05). In the other words، the distance of ewes from rams can significantly affect feed intake of the Afshari ewes.