Concentrate supplementation during pregnancy and lactation of ewes affects the growth rate of lambs from a variety of crosses

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to determine how concentrate supplementation during late third gestation and lactation affects ewe and offspring performance from birth to weaning. Thirty-six ewes and their offspring (n = 32) were used. Eighteen Morada Nova and 18 Santa Inês ewes were artificially inseminated with semen from Dorper ram and distributed in a completely randomized factorial arrangement (2 × 2) consisting of two supplementation levels (5 and 15 g kg -1 of BW) and two breeds (Morada Nova and Santa Inês) or two crosses (Dorper × Morada Nova and Dorper × Santa Inês). The ewes were weighed, their body condition was evaluated during pregnancy, and the weaning weight of the lambs at up to 70 days old was measured. There was no effect of breed or supplementation on the prolificacy or type of birth. The Santa Inês ewes had a faster rate of development, although the weight loss during lactation was lower in the Morada Nova ewes. The weight development of the Dorper × Santa Inês lambs during the maternal-dependent phase was 34 g/100 g higher than that of the other cross, with no difference in the maternal-independent phase. Dorper × Santa Inês lambs gain more weight during the 70 days of development. However, the Dorper × Morada Nova lambs show a better response in terms of production efficiency when comparing the weight of the lambs with the weight of the sheep.

Impact of body condition on postpartum features in morada nova sheep

“…Fernandes (1992) used a traditional weaning system at 90 days and achieved an average weight of 10.6 ± 0.7 kg, relatively superior to ours. Meanwhile, for Morada Nova and Dorper lambs at 42 days of life, Torreão et al (2014) recorded a weight of 7.8 kg, closer to that observed in the present experiment. The viability of the weaning system, beyond the litter performance, also considered the mortality the performance of the first week postweaning.…”

“…Among the breeds raised in this region, hair sheep are more common and include, among other breeds, the Morada Nova and Santa Inês breeds (GOTTARDI et al, 2014). These animals are well adapted to semi-arid climate conditions, and are starting to play an important role in the lives of people in rural areas (CATUNDA, 2011).…”

Crude glycerin inclusion in Santa Inês ewes’ diet before and during the breeding season: its effects on physiological parameters, hematological variables, and reproductive performance

“…The lack of supplementation directly affects both the sheep and the lambs; it also affects the next reproductive cycle by increasing the anestrus period and the lambing interval and by negatively affecting the reproductive performance of ewes. Thus, flushing is recommended not only during but also before the breeding season and during the maternal-dependent phase, aiming for a better development of the animals and positive impacts on their reproductive performance (Torreão et al, 2014).…”

Effect of royal jelly on milk composition and blood biochemical parameters in lactating ewes

“…(2013) stated that supplementing Santa Inês lactating ewes with propolis extract resulted in no significant variations in BW or body condition scores. Also, others have stated that concentrate supplementation during pregnancy and lactation of Santa Inês ewes did not affect the body condition score (Torreão et al ., 2014).…”