Effect of Urea Molasses Multi-Nutrient Block (UMMB) Supplementation on Growth Performance of Crossbred Sheep

Abstract

The urea molasses multi-nutrient block (UMMB) supplementation can be an efficient method to maximize rumen microbial activity through a balanced supply of protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins. Sheep grazing on pastures may not fulfill their nutritional requirement, especially during the dry season. Thus, the goal of this experiment was to identify the impact of UMMB supplementation on crossbred sheep under grazing condition in southwest Bangladesh region. Twelve sheep were divided into four treatment groups, each consisting of three replications. Control group (T₀) continued to graze normally, while groups T₁, T₂, and T₃ were permitted to lick UMMB for 1 hour, 1.5 hours, and 2 hours, per day accordingly. Based on randomized complete block design, the experimental design was organized. The average body weight of the four treatment groups was maintained randomly constant during the initial weighing and grouping of the sheep. The UMMB consists of DM (76.08 ± 0.57) %, CP (17.90 ± 0.24) %, CF (7.46 ± 0.01) %, EE (3.57 ± 0.31) %, ash (26.84 ± 0.36) %, and NFE (44.23 ± 0.51) %. Each group of sheep allowed to graze for 10 hours a day, from 9 am to 7 pm. In the morning, the allotted UMMB was given to lick. Regular records of all pertinent information, including body weight, date of parturition, deworming and vaccination were kept in a registrar. Every week, in the morning, live weight measurements in empty stomach were done before allowing them to lick UMMB and graze. The R software was used to analyze the data. The findings showed that although the mean differences did not differ significantly (p>0.05), body weight (kg sheep⁻¹) rose numerically as UMMB licking periods increased. Sheep licking UMMB for 2 hours was found to have the numerically highest body weight in the majority of cases. The initial body weight of four treatments, T₀, T₁, T₂, and T₃ was 13.48 ± 2.84 kg, 13.87 ± 1.78 kg, 13.67 ± 4.81 kg, and 14.12 ± 3.40 kg, respectively. After 13 weeks of licking UMMB, their final body weights were 17.37±2.18 kg, 19.20±2.46 kg, 21.13±5.31 kg, and 22.27±2.58 kg, respectively for T₀, T₁, T₂, and T₃ groups. The growth rate (g day⁻¹) of crossbred sheep rose, as the length of UMMB licking sessions increased. Within supplemented groups as well as between supplemented and non-supplemented groups, crossbred sheep mean differences varied significantly. At weeks two, five, seven, ten, and thirteen, sheep's average growth rate differed significantly (p<0.05) based on the duration of UMMB supplementation they were allowed to lick. At weeks 6, 9 and 12, the growth rate (g day⁻¹) was shown to be significantly highest (p<0.01) while licking UMMB at 2 hours (110.00ᵃ±22.45), 1.5 hours (88.10ᵃ±14.87), and 2 hours (90.48ᵃ±16.49). It can be concluded that UMMB licking session of 2-hour per day is necessary to ensure optimum growth.