Objective:

To evaluate the effect of the substitution of Medicago sativa L. by Ricinus communis L. leaf blade on the feeding and health of pregnant ewes.

Materials and Methods:

A behavior test was conducted with 10 primiparous ewes in the last third of pregnancy, with initial live weigh of 45 ± 3 kg. They were homogeneously distributed, individually, and two groups of five animals each were formed. The animals were randomly allocated. The integral rations included 20 % of M. sativa or R. communis. The total dry matter intake per metabolic weight, crude protein and metabolizable energy intake, duration of pregnancy, weight of the litter at birth, individual weight of the lamb at birth and clinical signs of intoxication, abortions or deaths, were evaluated.

Results:

The dry matter, protein and energy intake was higher in M. sativa with regards to R. communis until a week after parturition, when the intake of both treatments was similar. There were no statistical differences in the litter weight at birth (5,53 vs 7,80 kg), weight per lamb (3,57 vs 3,25 kg) and duration of pregnancy (146 vs 147), for M. sativa and R. communis, respectively. The ewes that consumed R. communis did not show clinical signs of intoxication and neither abortions nor deaths occurred.

Conclusions:

The R. communis leaf meal is a nutritional alternative in the last third of pregnancy for sheep, without detriment to the productive indicators or the generation of intoxication signs, abortion or deaths. Besides, it does not affect lamb viability.

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