The Effects of Common Vetch Grain (Vicia Satıva) on Some Blood, Rumen Parameters and Rumen Protozoa in Lambs

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different levels of common vetch (CV) grain feed on some blood and rumen parameters and rumen protozoa in lambs consuming sainfoin hay (SH). In the study two-month-old weaned, SH consumed, 36.25 ± 2.49 kg average body weight (BW), twenty-four female lambs were used. Ration groups were established as follows; In the first group (C, control), 2% SH and 0.00% CV of the lamb's live weight (LW) were adopted while in the second group, 1.25% SH and 0.75% CV ( CVI) and in the third group, 0.5% SH and 1.50% CV (CVII) were adopted. Blood and rumen fluid samples were taken twice, once at the beginning of the study and once on the 30th day of the study. Although there were statistical differences in some of the parameters investigated in the study, all blood and rumen parameters were within the normal limits specified for lambs in the literature. In this study, it was concluded that feeding the lambs that are consuming SH with CV 1.5% of their live weight did not have a negative effect and the total ration can be formed using both SH and CV.