Supplement Type Influenced the Performance and Resiliency Against Gastrointestinal Parasites of Nursing Lambs Raised in Woodlands

Nutrition supplementation can be one of the integrated approaches to reduce gastrointestinal parasite (GIP) infestation. The study objective was to evaluate the impact of supplement type on the performance and resiliency against GIP of nursing lambs raised in woodlands. Katahdin-St. Croix cross lambs (23) with their mothers (18) were divided into two groups; they were rotationally stocked in separate sets of woodland plots and provided with ad libitum hay. Group-1 animals were supplemented with corn, and Group-2 with soybean (0.5% of live weight). Live weight, FAMACHA score, and body condition score were measured on Day 1, fortnightly, and at the end of the study. Fecal samples were analyzed for the type and quantity of GIP on Days 1, 45, and 80. Lambs supplemented with soybeans performed better than corn-supplemented lambs (p<0.05), indicating soybeans as a better supplement than corn for nursing lambs stocked in woodlands.