Abstract

This experimental study occurred in Iraq, Kirkuk, University of Kirkuk, College of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production from the 1st of September to 25th of December 2023. The study targeted the impact of different proportions of spirulina algae and folic acid on the productive traits of Awassi ewes during medium and late pregnancy stages, in addition to the impact of these proportions on the growth indicators of the newborn lambs on the first three weeks after birth. 16 pregnant ewes at 18-22 months as old and 56.6 kg average weight were used. The animals were divided randomly into four groups, each group including four pregnant ewes in medium pregnancy stage (second trimester). The 1st treatment was the control group which was not dosed at all, the 2nd treatment was orally dosed with 0.625 mg spirulina solution for each ewe, the 3rd treatment was orally dosed with 65 mg folic acid solution for each ewe, and the 4th treatment was orally dosed with 0.625 mg spirulina and 65 mg folic acid solution for each ewe. By using the mentioned proportions, Spirulina group (T2) showed a significant enhancement (P≤0.05) in ewes body weight gain, feed intake and growth rate, while the mixed treatment of folic acid and spirulina (T4) showed significant enhancement in feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). On the other hand, dosing the ewes with these proportions did not show any appreciable differences in the traits of embryo number, twin number, pregnancy percentage, mortality percentage and newborns growth indicators.