Effects of Feeding Different Levels of Whole and Ground Flaxseed in Late Pregnancy on the Performance of Karakul Ewes.

This study were conducted to determine the effect of different levels of flaxseed, whole and ground (8 and 15%), in late pregnancy on the performance of ewes. 30 Karakul ewes (ages between 2 and 2.5 years old, mean weight of 55±2.5 kg) were used in a completely randomised design with five treatments and six replicates. Treatments include: 1) control diet, a diet without flaxseed; 2) a diet containing 8% whole flaxseed (WFS-L); 3) a diet containing 15% whole flaxseed (WFS-H); 4) a diet containing 8% ground flaxseed (GFS-L); and 5) a diet containing 15% ground flaxseed (GFS-H). The addition of flaxseed (whole and ground) had no significant effect on dry matter intakes or body weight changes in ewes and lambs (P>0.05), but in comparison, crude protein and ether extract digestibility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in ewes fed whole and ground flaxseed compared to those fed the control diet. The yield and composition of colostrum were not affected by experimental treatments (P>0.05), except for colostrum protein, which increased by using treatments with whole flaxseed (P<0.05). Glucose and cholesterol in blood plasma were significantly increased in ewes fed whole and ground flaxseed compared to the control treatment. (P<0.05), and the highest blood glucose and cholesterol levels were observed in the treatment of 15% whole flaxseed. The research showed that whole flaxseed (15%) can be added to sheep's diets, and it can be concluded that processing flaxseed for ewes in late pregnancy might not be necessary to improve performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]