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Effect of flat bate feeding in late pregnancy on colostrum and lamb production of prolific ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2017

S.E. Pattinson ,
D.A.R. Davies  and
A.C. Winter
S.E. Pattinson
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry University of Liverpool, Veterinary Field Station, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral, L64 7TE
D.A.R. Davies
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Husbandry University of Liverpool, Veterinary Field Station, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral, L64 7TE
A.C. Winter
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Clinical Science University of Liverpool, Veterinary Field Station, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral, L64 7TE
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Extract

In the final 2 weeks of pregnancy there is a large increase in the protein requirement of the ewe for udder growth and colostrum production (Robinson, 1985). Ewe dry matter (DM) intakes fall during late pregnancy (Forbes, 1970) so meeting the theoretical requirements at this stage can be difficult.

The trial was designed to compare the effect of providing the required protein on a flat-rate or a ‘step-up’ feeding system on lamb and colostrum production.

Sixty-two Cambridge ewes aged 1 to 9 years and scanned as carrying 2 to 6 lambs were used. Ewes were housed and sheared approximately 2 months pre-partum and fed a complete diet at a restricted level and hay ad libitum until the commencement of the trial at 4 weeks pre-partum.

Type
Sheep
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1992 , March 1992 , pp. 163
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1992

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References

Forbes, J.M. (1970). Voluntary food intake of pregnant ewes. Journal of Animal Science, 31: 1222–1227.Google Scholar
Robinson, J.J. (1985). Nutritional requirements of the pregnant and lactating ewe. In: Genetics of Reproduction in Sheep (eds Land, R.B. and Robinson, D.W.) pp. 361–370. Butterworths, London.Google Scholar