Effect of camelthorn forage feeding on the performance of Baluchi sheep

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of camelthorn (Alhagi sp.) as a foraghe in the diet of Balouchi sheep (during the last two months of gestation and two months of lactation) where 72 ewes in a completely randomized design with three treatments (diets) and four replications were used. Experimental diets were: 1) wheat straw 50%، alfalfa hay 30% and barley grain 20%، as control group; 2) camelthorn hay 40%، wheat straw 25%، alfalfa hay 15% and barley grain 20%; 3) camelthorn hay 80 and barley grain 20%. Results showed that the average daily dry matter intake was reduced by sheep that received diet contained 40% camelthorn (P < 0. 05) however، no significant differences were obtained when the dry matter intake was estimated based on the metabolic body weight (g/kg of BW0. 75). The average daily milk yield was significantly higher (P < 0. 05) in treatment three than that of the treatment two. The birth weight of lambs was not statistically affected by the treatments but the daily gain of lambs was lower (P < 0. 05) in treatment two during 60-day recording. The feeding cost was reduced by inclusion of camelthorn in the diet where the lowest cost was by the diet contained 80% camelthorn. In conclusion، camelthorn may be used in the diet of ewes as roughage feed، although more research is required in this field.