M. MUNIR, A. W. JASRA¹ AND M. A. MIRZA  

Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Park Road, Islamabad; ¹Range Management & Forestry, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, 45500, Pakistan

Abstract

    This study was conducted to assess the performance of Balochi ewes under three management systems i.e. T₁-Extensive (grazing only), T₂-Semi-extensive (grazing plus daily feed supplementation for nine months @ 0.625 kg/ewe/day) and T₃-Intensive (experimental ration only @ 1.5625 kg/ewe/day). Animals under T₁ lost as high as 7.9 kg body weight during winter. T₂ flock maintained their body weights and T₃ achieved significantly higher body weight (i.e. 15.1 kg). Highest conception and lambing percentages (93.8%) were attained under T₃ group, followed by T₂ (87.5%) and T₁ (75%). These results strongly recommend appropriate feed supplementation to small ruminants on Balochistan ranges for sustainable pastoral livelihood.