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Effects of R osmarinus officinalis L . essential oils supplementation on digestion, colostrum production of dairy ewes and lamb mortality and growth
Author(s) -
Smeti Samir,
Joy Margalida,
Hajji Hadhami,
Alabart José Luis,
Muñoz Fernando,
Mahouachi Mokhtar,
Atti Naziha
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
animal science journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.606
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1740-0929
pISSN - 1344-3941
DOI - 10.1111/asj.12352
Subject(s) - silage , colostrum , hay , forage , dry matter , zoology , alfalfa hay , food science , chemistry , biology , rumen , agronomy , antibody , immunology , fermentation
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosemary essential oils ( REO ) and the forage nature on ewes' performances, immune response and lambs' growth and mortality. Forty‐eight dairy ewes (Sicilo‐Sarde) were fed oat‐hay or oat‐silage supplemented with 400 g of concentrate during pregnancy and 600 g during postpartum. The experimental concentrate contained the same mixture as the control (barley, soybean meal and mineral vitamin supplement) more 0.6 g/kg of REO . Two groups were obtained with each forage (Hay groups: H ‐ C and H ‐ REO ; Silage groups: S ‐ C and S ‐ REO ). REO increased the dry matter ( DM ) intake, the nitrogen intake and retention being higher with the silage groups ( P < 0.05). REO increased solid non‐fat ( P = 0.004) and fat contents of colostrum which was higher with hay ( P = 0.002). REO decreased lamb mortality ( P < 0.05) which averaged 21% for control groups and 6% for H ‐ REO , while no mortality was recorded with S ‐ REO . REO dietary supply improved forage intake and tended to ameliorate colostrum production; it could be a natural additive to improve ewes' performances.