Nutrient utilization in grazing ewes supplemented with complete feed blocks during scarcity in semi-arid region

Malpura and Kheri ewes (57), 3-4 years old and weighing 36.12±3.63 kg were randomly divided into two groups of 40 (G1) and 17 (G2). All the ewes grazed on rangeland. Ewes in G1, in addition to grazing received complete feed block (CFB) ad libitum for a period of 40 days during summer. The range forage contained DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, cellulose and ADL 73.2, 82.6, 7.4, 70.5, 48.5, 21.8 and 9.0%, respectively. CFB Intake was 0.875 kg/day/ewe. Dry matter intake (g) in G1 (949.9) and G2 (935.8) did not differ. The final body weight after 40 day of supplementation was higher (P<0.05) in G1 (36.41 kg) compared to G2 (34.09 kg) ewes. Nutrient intake did not differ in supplemented and non-supplemented ewes. Nutrient digestibility, except acid detergent fibre and hemicellulose did not differ between the two groups. It is concluded that CFB supplementation to grazing ewes during scarcity helped in maintaining the body weight compared to non-supplemented ewes.