Journal of Fisheries & Livestock Production
Open Access

Abstract

Generally, parasites are major constraints on animal productivity throughout the world. Young sheep are most susceptible to wormâ??s infection during their first year of life. The protein supplementation is considered as important because it improves the resistance to worms and prevents the effects of their infection on sheep production. In fact, worms reduce nutrients that sheep would normally use to grow meat and wool. They damage the lining of the intestinal tract and lower absorption of nutrients. Young sheep need protein to build and repair various body structures. In young worm infected sheep, protein is diverted from muscle and wool growth to fight against infection and repairing the damaged intestines. Worms cause decrease in survival, live weight gain, wool and milk production and reproduction performance. Protein used by sheep comes from different sources including the conversion of plant proteins consumed to microbial proteins by rumen microorganisms and by supplementation. Proteins that cannot be broken down by rumen microorganisms are called bypass or protected proteins (cottonseed meal, canola and copra meal). They are given to young sheep as supplementary to increase their resistance to worm infection. Even supplementary feeding is currently considered expensive but is necessary. Protein supplementation is most effective in improving resistance, so young sheep should be given priority access to supplementary feeds rich in bypass protein to increase their production efficiently.

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