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The Use of Salt as a Regulator of Protein Supplement Intake by Breeding Ewes

University of California^{,2, 3}

Abstract

Two groups of breeding ewes were carried through gestation and lactation on a straw and limited alfalfa hay ration with a supplement of 25 percent salt and 75 percent cottonseed meal mixture self-fed to one group and an equal amount of cottonseed meal hand-fed to the other group. The ewes slowly gained weight through gestation but lost weight rapidly after lambing. There was no difference between the two groups' lambing performance or in the gains of the lambs to 28 days of age. The water intake of the ewes on the high-salt ration was much greater than that of the control ewes. Blood chloride level was increased only during the period of greatest salt intake. No effect was noted on the blood sodium or potassium levels or on the hematocrit value. The chloride and potassium content of the milk was higher for the ewes on the salt intake while no effect was found on the milk sodium. No evidence of "salt poisoning" was obtained.

¹ Now Farm Advisor, Tulare County, California.

² Department of Animal Husbandry, Davis.

³ The authors express their appreciation to Dr. D. R. Cordy, Veterinary Science, for pathological examinations, and to J. G. Brown, Pomology, and L. W. Holm, Veterinary Science for the use of the flame photometer.