EFFECT OF FEEDING RATION TREATED WITH FORMALDEHYDE ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF AWASSI EWE LAMBS

Thirty two Awassi female lambs of 5.5-6 months old, with average initial body weight 37.2 Kg were divided into two groups each of sixteen ewe lambs. Group one was fed a ration containing 16.5% crude protein (Untreated) UT. Group two was fed on the same ration but after treating the barley, wheat bran and Soya-bean meal with formaldehyde T. Both began feeding at May 2005 until the end of September 2005. Results showed similar average daily feed intake for 0.803 v 0.791 kg, average body weight at mating was 45.9 v 45.2 kg, and age at mating 280.6 v 279.7 day for the UT group and the T group respectively. The treatment caused significant differences in the estrous behavior 93.7% v 43.7%, conception rate 68.8% v 18.8% and parturition rate 68.8% v 18.8% respectively as compared with the UT group.