Effect of Urea Molasses Multi-Nutrient Block (UMMB) Supplementation on Growth Performance of Crossbred Sheep

The urea molasses multi-nutrient block (UMMB) supplementation can be an efficient method to maximize rumen microbial activity through a balanced supply of protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins. Sheep grazing on pastures may not fulfill their nutritional requirement, especially during the dry season. Thus, the goal of this experiment was to identify the impact of UMMB supplementation on crossbred sheep under grazing condition in southwest Bangladesh region. Twelve sheep were divided into four treatment groups, each consisting of three replications. Control group (T₀) continued to graze normally, while groups T₁, T₂, and T₃ were permitted to lick UMMB for 1 hour, 1.5 hours, and 2 hours, per day accordingly. Based on randomized complete block design, the experimental design was organized. The average body weight of the four treatment groups was maintained randomly constant during the initial weighing and grouping of the sheep. The UMMB consists of DM (76.08 ± 0.57) %, CP (17.90 ± 0.24) %, CF (7.46 ± 0.01) %, EE (3.57 ± 0.31) %, ash (26.84 ± 0.36) %, and NFE (44.23 ± 0.51) %. Each group of sheep allowed to graze for 10 hours a day, from 9 am to 7 pm. In the morning, the allotted UMMB was given to lick. Regular records of all pertinent information, including body weight, date of parturition, deworming and vaccination were kept in a registrar. Every week, in the morning, live weight measurements in empty stomach were done before allowing them to lick UMMB and graze. The R software was used to analyze the data.

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