Effects of feeding cull domestic onions (Allium cepa) to sheep

Twenty crossbred Panama yearling ewes were used to determine the effects of feeding cull onions (Allium cepa) to sheep. Ten test ewes were fed onions free choice with supplemntal alfalfa hay and grain, whereas ten control ewes were fed only alfalfa hay and grain. Anemia developed within 3 weeks in the test ewes, but was not seen in the controls. All ewes remained clinically normal during the study. Onions were fed for about 130 days. Recovery of the erythrocyte system began before the end of the feeding period. Even though onions were fed during most of the gestation period, the numbers of lambs born in the test and control groups were essentially the same.