Animal Feed Science and Technology 192 (2014) 24–28 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Animal Feed Science and Technology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/anifeedsci Feeding corn silage improves nursing performance of Awassi ewes when used as a source of forage compared to wheat hay B.S. Obeidat a,∗ , M.S. Awawdeh b , R.T. Kridli a , H.J. Al-Tamimi a , M.A. Ballou c , M.D. Obeidat a , M.A. Abu Ishmais a , F.A. Al-Lataifeh a , H.S. Subih d a Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan b Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan c Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA d Department of Nutrition, Hospitality, and Retailing, Texas Tech University, TX 79409, USA a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 25 February 2013 Received in revised form 16 January 2014 Accepted 6 March 2014 Keywords: Awassi ewes Lambs Corn silage Wheat hay Milk a b s t r a c t The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using corn silage (SILAGE) or wheat hay (HAY) as a source of forage on nursing performance of Awassi ewes. Forty ewes (body weight; BW = 43.5 ± 1.58 kg) and their single lambs (BW = 6.3 ± 0.28 kg) were randomly assigned to two diets; SILAGE vs. HAY (four pens/diet; five ewes/pen). Concentrate feed- ing was restricted to 1.1 kg dry matter (DM)/ewe/d, whereas forage was offered ad libitum. The study lasted for 56 d (7 d of adaptation and 49 d of data collection). Ewes and lambs were weighed after the adaptation period and at the end of the study. Milk yield and blood samples were collected on days 9, 16, 23, 30, 37, 44 and 51. Intakes of forage and total DM were greater (P<0.05) in SILAGE-fed ewes compared to those fed HAY. Additionally, intakes of crude protein, ether extract and net energy were also greater (P≤0.002) in the SILAGE group. However, neutral and acid detergent fiber intakes were greater (P=0.022) in the HAY than in the SILAGE group. Average daily gain was greater (P=0.032) in the SILAGE than the HAY group. Circulating glucose concentration was greater (P=0.023) in the SILAGE treatment compared to the HAY group, while serum urea nitrogen was similar (P=0.914) in both groups. Milk, total milk solids, protein and fat yields were greater (P<0.05) in the SILAGE than in the HAY group. Dietary replacement of wheat hay with corn silage to early lactating Awassi ewes improved feed intake, yields of milk and milk components, ewe body weight, and lamb average daily gain. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction Awassi sheep, the predominant breed in the Middle East, are raised to supply both milk and meat. Jordan is a semi-arid country in that region with an average rainfall of merely 200 mm/year (El-Shatnawi and Ereifej, 2001). The greatest rainfall occurs in December and January; followed by emergence of spring grasses, such that maximum pasture mass is obtained Abbreviations: ADF, acid detergent fiber; ADG, average daily gaina; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; BW, body weight; CP, crude protein; DM, dry matter; EE, ether extract; NFC, non-fiber carbohydrates; TS, total solids. ∗ Corresponding author at: Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. Tel.: +962 2 7201000x22214; fax: +962 2 7201078. E-mail address: bobeidat@just.edu.jo (B.S. Obeidat). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2014.03.002 0377-8401/© 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.