Authors : Semra Vakit and Cemal Budag
Abstract: The study investigates the effects of Common Vetch Seed (CVS) on some blood and rumen parameters and rumen protozoa of female, Sainfoin Hay (SH) fed, lambs. In the study, 24, female, SH-fed and weaned lambs that were 16 weeks old and weighed 36.25±2.49 kg on average were used. In the first group (control), the consumption of SH equal to 2% of the Live Weights (LW) of the lambs and (%) 0.00 CVS was allowed. Group rations were formed, so that, the second group was fed with SH equal to 1.25% of the LW and CVS equal to 0.75% of the LW and third group was fed with SH equal to %0.5 of the LW and CVS (equal to 1.50% of the LW). The blood and rumen fluid samples were collected on day 0 and day 30 of the experiment. Despite the statistical differences between some parameters investigated in the study, all parameters were within the physiological limits for lambs reported in the literature. The results of the study showed that feeding vetch at an amount equal to 75% of the total ration as a protein-rich feed to SH-fed lambs did not have any negative effect on the lambs and the total ration can be composed of legume hay and legume seeds.
Semra Vakit and Cemal Budag, 2020. The Effects of Vetch (Lathyrus sativus L.) Seed Feed on Some Rumen and Blood Parameters and Rumen Protozoa of Lambs. Agricultural Journal, 15: 158-165.