Production and Reproduction Performances of Young Local (Jonggol) Ewes Fed Different Source of Energy

Abstract

Animal farming takes role in providing the animal protein, increasing the income of the farmers, job generating and preserving the nature resources. Sheep farming belongs to a common business for local farmers, although the productivity of Indonesian local sheep is very low which is drived by genetic and environment. The crucial factors are the low feed quality and the absence of production and reproduction targets. Flushing with high quality feed becomes a choice. This experiment was conducted to study the effect of different energy sources in ration on the performance of the local (Jonggol) young ewes. A total of 15 local (Jonggol) young ewes were used within the body weight average of 16.1±1.17 kg. All ewes were fed a ration with 40:60 for forage and concentrate, respectively. Nutrients composition was calculated according to iso-energy and iso-protein (66% TDN and 14% protein). Completely randomized design (CRD) was applied with 3 different treatments of energy source of feed in 5 replications. The energy sources used were maize (P1), tapioca by product (cassava) (P2) and mixture of maize and cassava (P3). The variables measured were the dry matter consumption before and after pregnancy, body weight gain before and after pregnancy, feed conversion, first estrus and successful mating, service per conception rate and number of pregnancies and fetus. The first estrus and successful mating, service per conception rate and number of pregnancy and fetus were descriptively analyzed. Other variables were subjected to analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey to test the differences. The results showed that different energy feedstuff has no effect on the dry matter consumption before and after pregnancy, body weight gain before and after pregnancy, feed conversion, service per conception rate, and number of pregnancy and fetus. As conclusion, ration with different energy sources had not influence to the productive and reproductive performances of local (Jonggol) young ewes.