Applied Animal Nutrition-I

PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS FOR SHEEP

• Since wool fibres i.e. keratin is composed almost entirely of protein, sheep need a greater proportion of protein.
• Sheep can convert NPN substances into good quality microbial protein in rumen.
• Methionine is first limiting amino acid in microbial protein.

• When NPN substances like urea, biuret are used in sheep ration, the Nitrogen : Sulphur ratio should be maintained as 10:1.
• A level of 10% protein in ration is adequate for wool production.

• The Nutritive ratio for lambs of body weight 50 kg or more should be 1:7 or 1:8, whereas in ewes and nursing lamb it should be 1:6.5.
• Wool is very rich in cystine and methionine (sulphur containing amino acid ).
• The ordinary rations provide the required quantity of cystine and methionine.
• However if sheep are fed a ration unusually low in cystine, then feeding of protein supplements high in cystine or methionine is beneficial (Blood meal is rich in cystine).

• The approximate daily DCP requirement for maintenance is 1/10th of the TDN or 1 gm for every 1 kg of body weight.
• This requirement increases by about 50% during pregnancy and 100% during lactation and growth.