Impact of hogget feeding on growth and reproductive performance in nilagiri and sandyno ewes

Fifty ewe hoggets of Nilagiri and Sandyno breeds aged 10–11 months were allotted to two treatment groups to study the effect of level of concentrate feed on production, reproduction and life time lamb produced (LTLP). Hoggets from group I was supplemented with 300 grams of concentrate feed per day as against 150 grams of concentrate feed given to hoggets in group II. The effect of additional feeding is reflected in significantly higher growth rate, Average daily gain (ADG), overall weight gain and Mean greasy fleece yield in group I ewes of both Nilagiri and Sandyno ewes. Tupping and lambing percentage of group I ewes were significantly higher and was more pronounced in Sandyno ewes. However, this was compensated by significant (P<0.01) increase in litter size and twinning percentage in group I Nilagiri ewes. Ewes from Group I Nilagiri and Sandyno bred 122 and 194 days earlier and gave birth to their first lambs at 97 and 179 days earlier than group II ewes. Total weight of lambs weaned was 3.04 and 1.61 times higher in group I Sandyno and Nilagiri ewes. The average LTLP was higher in group I Nilagiri (5.50 vs. 4.00) and Sandyno (5.10 vs. 4.30) ewes surviving for five or more years. Feeding an additional quantity of feed to ewe hoggets improved the production, reproduction and life time lamb produced.