Effect of high intakes of sodium chloride on the utilization of a protein concentrate by sheep. I. Wool growth

Abstract

Both the water intakes and wool growth rates of sheep fed on a high protein diet (37% crude protein), consisting mainly of linseed meal, were significantly increased when salt (c. 130 g sodium chloride per day) was given in both the food and drinking water. Offering the food once a day resulted in a higher wool growth response to salt (22%) as compared with offering the food at 3-hr intervals (14%). It is suggested that the effects of salt were due to reduced ruminal degradation of protein, which remained in the rumen for a shorter time than usual when salt was given.