Effects of supplemental feed of maiden Lori-Bakhtiari ewes during late gestation and early lactation on their lamb's growth

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of feeding barley grain during late gestation and early lactation on productive performance of maiden Lori-Bakhtiari ewes. Thirty-two maiden ewes were randomly assigned to equal two treatments as the control (fed custom ration) and the supplemented (fed custom ration plus 400 grams/day/head barley grain during 7-13 days before to 10 days after parturition). The lamb's birth weight was measured. Lambs sex, type of birth and mortality were recorded. Each ewe was individually observed for determine lambing difficulties. Lambs were weighed at 10 days, one month and four months (weaning) of age. The average daily gain between birth to 10 days, birth to one month and birth to weaning age were calculated. No significant difference was found for lamb's birth weight among treatments. Lambing difficulties was not observed in ewes of two treatments. The average daily gain from birth to 10 days (P