Studies On Energy And Protein Requirements In Growing Ewes Of Chinese Merino Sheep

Energy and protein requirements in growing ewes of Chinese Merino Sheep were studied by means of fasting heat metabolism, digestive—metabolic experiment of different protein level, feeding experiment of different protein level, as well as feeding experiment of different DG level. Energy and protein requirements for maintenance were estimated through fasting heat metabolism. Protein retain level was studied when given different level of protein. Energy and protein requirements were tested with the supply of protein and different DG predicted.The requirements of energy and protein for maintenance increase with liveweight. There are regressive correlations between the requirements and liveweight as shown below.ME_m (kcal/d) = 340.90 + 36.29WME_m (kcal/d) = 127.33 W~0.75 - 283.33CP_m (g/d) =5.35W -98.34CP_m (g/d) =6.27W~0.75 -35.31Requirements of energy and protein vary with liveweight and daily gain level. In this study, requirement of ME is 1.64—3.04Mcal when liveweight is 20kg to 40kg as 50—150g DG While CP requirement is 72.89g—130.20g at the same time.