China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (5): 2128-2139.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.05.017

• Nutritionand Feed • Previous Articles    

Protein Requirements of Growing Hu Sheep Ewe Lambs During 3 to 5 Months of Age

ZHANG Chengrui1, WEI Xuesheng1, ZHANG Mingzhu1, WANG Jie1, FAN Dingkun1, ZHANG Juan2, ZHU Dezhi3, GUO Fusuo3, ZHANG Naifeng1   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Feed Biotechnology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Institute of Feed Research of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China;
    2. Bayannur Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Bayannur 015000, China;
    3. Dengkou County Animal Husbandry Workstation, Bayannur 015200, China
  • Received:2024-10-15 Published:2025-04-27

Abstract: 【Objective】 The purpose of this study was to determine the protein requirements of ewe lambs of Hu sheep during growth period.【Method】 Thirty-six ewe lambs of Hu sheep in the growth stage were selected for the current trial,with 12 lambs at each of the ages of 3,4,and 5 months.The lambs of different ages were randomly divided into three groups,with feeding levels of ad libitum (AL),ad libitum 70% (AL70),and ad libitum 40% (AL40) for each group.Each group had four replicates and was raised in a single pen for 45 days.During the experimental period of 31-35 days,a digestion and metabolism trial was conducted using the full collection of feces and urine method to investigate the protein requirements of Hu sheep ewe lambs in growth period.【Result】 The dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily weight gain (ADG) of 3,4,and 5 month old ewe lambs significantly decreased with the decrease of feeding levels (P<0.05).Due to the decrease of feeding levels,the final body weight of ewe lambs at each month showed a decreasing trend,but there was no significant difference (P>0.05);The decrease in feeding level resulted in a significant decrease in nitrogen intake of ewe lambs at different ages (P<0.05),and subsequently,the fecal nitrogen and digestible nitrogen content of ewe lambs in each group also decreased significantly (P<0.05).On the basis of digestion and metabolism experiments,multiple regression equations were fitted to obtain prediction equations for feed intake and protein requirements of 3,4,and 5 month old Hu sheep ewe lambs.Among them,the maintenance requirements of crude protein,digestible protein,and net protein for 3-5 month old Hu sheep ewe lambs were respectively 9.10,5.60 and 2.80 g/(kg BW0.75·d);The requirement of 1 g weight gain for crude protein,digestible protein,and net protein for ewe lambs were respectively 0.194,0.113 and 0.088 g.When the daily weight gain was 100-300 g/d,the crude protein requirement for growth of 3-5 month old Hu sheep ewe lambs was 88.76-174.85 g/d,the digestible protein requirement was 53.98-105.68 g/d,and the net protein requirement was 30.14-62.29 g/d.【Conclusion】 The protein requirements of Hu sheep ewe lambs during the growth period differ from the current recommended amount for sheep,which was related to their breed,age,environment,and nutrition level.The prediction equation obtained in this experiment could be used to estimate the protein requirements of Hu sheep ewe lambs during the growth period of 3-5 month old.

Key words: Hu sheep; growing ewe lambs; nitrogen metabolism; protein requirement; prediction equation

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