Feeding potential of Puma maize hybrid silages included in the diet of pregnant ewes

Objective. The nutritional potential of maize´s Puma hybrids was evaluated as silage forage in 50% of the pregnant ewe's diet. Materials and methods. Sixty-one pregnant ewes were used, assigned to the groups: Centli Puma (N = 21), Tsiri Puma (N = 20) and Tlaoli Puma (N = 20) and their weight, body condition (CC), FAMACHA and metabolic profile in gestation were measured, as well as milk production and quality at 15 and 30 days of lactation. In lambs, birth temperature and weight were measured. Results. The weight and CC of the ewes during pregnancy and lactation were not affected by the group (p>0.05). On the other hand, the estimated feed intake was higher in the ewes of the Centli group (p<0.0001), while the FAMACHA values were better in the Centli and Tlaoli groups (p<0.05). Proteins, glucose, cholesterol and β hydroxybutyrate during pregnancy and milk production and composition during lactation were not affected by the group (p>0.05). Neither did the weight of the lambs and their body temperature vary among the three groups (p>0.05). Conclusions. The use of Puma corn hybrid silages developed for grain production has good and similar response in the productive and metabolic parameters of sheep, as well in the lambs.