USING BAITS FOR INUREMENT LAMBS TO DRY FEED AT AN EARLY AGE

Miroslav Simeonov, Nikolay Todorov, Atanas Kirilov, Ina Stoicheva

Abstract: The objectives of the experiment are to test different baits for attraction of young lambs from 4 to 13 days old to dry feed and to stimulate consumption before early weaning on 19-20 days of age. In an experiment was involved 36 lambs of the Blackhead Pleven Sheep breed which from 4 days of age had free access to creep with soybean meal, whole grain maize, wheat bran and alfalfa hay supplied separately without mixing and tepid drinking water. Concentrated feed is sprinkled with milk replacer, common salt or putting in the trough big shiny objects (new bolts or unnecessary compact discs) to attract attention of the lambs. The effect of sprinkling common salt on visit and stay in creep, attempts to eat and intake of dry feed is small. During the first days not all of the lambs from control group (no baits) entry the creep and make attempts to eat dry feed. With a spreading above feed in the creep of milk replacer or putting big shiny objects (now bolts or unnecessary compact discs) all lambs visited creep from the very first day and intake more dry feed – average 45g/day for period from 4 to 13 days, against 29 g/day in control group (no baits). After stopping to use of baits, with aging intake in all groups increased, but tendency for higher intake of dry feed by lambs enticed with milk replacer or shiny objects remained. Between 4 and 11 days of age lambs make more attempts to consume alfalfa hay (45% from total attempts to intake feed) and maize grain (28%), compare to attempts eat soybean meal and wheat bran (13 and 14%).

Keywords: alfalfa hay; bait; behaviour; coomon salt; intake; lambs; maize; milk replacer; shiny objects; soybean meal; wheat born

Date published: 2023-01-03