INFLUENCE OF THE SALT-FREE-SALT DIET ON THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF ESTRUS IN EWES FROM BULGARIAN MILK SHEEP POPULATION

Krum Nedelkov, Nikolay Todorov

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the positive influence of salt-free-salt diet on the synchronization of estrus in ewes, which diet is widely recommended in Bulgarian scientific and popular literature. This diet provides a complete salt depravation of ewes for 7 to 17 days followed by giving of 15 to 20 grams salt per ewe daily for 6-9 days. It has been reported that 40-50% of ewes came in estrus after giving a high dosage of salt. Our experiments have been carried out with two groups, equal in age and body condition score. The control group had 80 ewes, and the experimental group in which was applied salt-free-salt diet included 81 ewes. The ewes were deprived from salt for 15 days, and then for 6 days were given 20 g salt per ewe daily. Giving the salt started two days before the natural mating of ewes and continues 4 days after that. Before and after salt-free-salt diet both groups were kept in one flock, under identical conditions. Before the fertilization for a period of one month, the rams were separated from ewes. For the first 15 days after the start of mating, mated (recorded by lambing) 4% of ewes from the experimental group, exposed to a salt-free-salt diet and 7% from ewes in the control group (P > 0.05). From 16th to 28th day after introduction of the rams in a flock, mated 46% of those ewes which received salt-free-salt diet and 36% of the control group (P> 0.05). This period coincides with the expected “ram effect”. It was established significantly higher percentage of ewes reacted to the “ram effect” with BCS over the average, compared with the poor ewes. Therefore, in this experiment has not been established a reaction of ewes to the salt-free-salt diet. There is synchronization of estrus as a result of the introduction of rams in the flock.

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Date published: 2023-03-06