PLANE OF NUTRITION IN MALPURA AND MUTTON SYNTHETIC EWES MAINTAINED ONCENCHRUS-CILIARIS PASTURE DURING DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL STAGES

Body weight changes, nutrient intake and utilization and plane of nutr ition were studied in 12 each of Malpura and Mutton Synthetic ewes mai ntained round the year on Cenchrus ciliaris pasture. They were divided into 3 equal groups representing critical physiological stages of mai ntenance, late gestation and early lactation. Body weight gain showed slight improvement due to pregnancy followed by reduction during lacta tion. DMI of the grazing ewes was similar in the 3 physiological stage s, whereas it was significantly lower in crossbreds compared to native sheep. Digestibilitics of DM, CP, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulo se were similar in the genetic groups and physiological stages. DCP an d DE intakes were higher in Malpura compared to Mutton Synthetic ewes and similar in different physiological stages. It is concluded that gr azing on cenchrus pasture could meet the maintenance requirement of ew es, whereas in advance gestation and early lactation the actual digest ible protein and energy intakes were lower than the prescribed allowan ces necessitating supplementation to meet their requirements.