Effect of birth weight, gender and litter characteristics on summer mortality in lambs of Norwegian breeds

Steinheim, Geir; Eikje, L. S.; Klemetsdal, G.

doi:10.1080/09064700802066471

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The 32 ewes from the coloured Spæl breed, a lighter Norwegian breed (Steinheim et al. 2008), mainly selected for wool quality (Eikje 1979; Drabløs 1997) had a mean body weight of (mean ± STD) 56.9 ± 7.7 kg.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in the Spacing Behaviour of Two Breeds of Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries) - Influence of Artificial Selection?

et al. 2011

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The aim of this experiment was to investigate differences in spacing behaviour, measured by the individual distance when resting and feeding, between two breeds of sheep with a different selection history. Eight groups of four pregnant ewes from the Nor‐X breed (a heavy, composite breed mainly selected for growth and meat quality) and eight groups of four pregnant ewes of the coloured Spæl breed (a light breed, mainly selected for wool quality) were placed in oblong experimental pens for 7 d. The distance between animals was measured from digital video recordings. The heavy Nor‐X ewes kept a significantly larger individual distance to their pen mates both during resting and feeding compared with the lighter Spæl ewes. Spæl ewes also kept a significantly smaller individual distance during resting than during feeding, but this difference was not found in Nor‐X ewes. Our results indicate that selection for growth and meat quality might influence spacing behaviour in sheep. Looking at the selection history of these two breeds, we discovered differences in how long they had coexisted with large carnivores. The possible effects of previous exposure to carnivores and the role of domestication in modifying spacing behaviour are also discussed.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differences in the Spacing Behaviour of Two Breeds of Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries) - Influence of Artificial Selection?

et al. 2011

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“…The sheep farmers therefore try to limit the period of spring and autumn grazing by leading the flock to rangeland as soon as possible in spring and to slaughter the lambs in autumn just after collection from rangeland. Lamb performance is, however, affected by their weight when turned out on range pasture, i.e., performance on rangeland improves with increasing spring weight (Steinheim et al, 2008). Thus, extending the spring grazing period on cultivated pasture prior to the free-ranging period may improve the lamb performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Grazing Abandoned Grassland on Herbage Production and Utilization, and Sheep Preference and Performance

Steinshamn

Grøva

Adler

et al. 2018

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Large areas of farmland are abandoned in Norway, which for various reasons are regarded as undesirable. Loss of farmland may have negative implications for biodiversity and ecosystem function and food production potential. The objectives of this study were to assess forage mass production and utilization, botanical composition, lamb performance, and grazing distribution pattern when reintroducing livestock grazing to an abandoned grassland. The study area was located in Central Norway, unmanaged for 12 years. Sheep grazed the area for 10 weeks in 2013 and 4 weeks in spring and autumn, respectively, in 2014 and 2015. During the summer of 2014 and 2015, the area was subjected to the following replicated treatments: (1) No grazing, (2) grazing with heifers, and (3) grazing with ewes and their offspring. The stocking rate was similar in the grazed treatments. Forage biomass production and animal intake were estimated using grazing exclosure cages and botanical composition by visual assessment. Effect on lamb performance was evaluated by live weight gain and slaughter traits in sheep subjected to three treatments: (1) Common farm procedure with summer range pasturing, (2) spring grazing period extended by 1 month on the abandoned grassland before summer range pasturing, and (3) spring and summer grazing on the abandoned grassland. Grazing distribution patterns were studied using GPS position collars on ewes. Total annual biomass production was on average 72% higher with summer grazing than without. Annual consumption and utilization was on average 218 g DM/m 2 and 70% when summer grazed, and 25 g DM/m 2 and 18% without grazing, respectively. Botanical composition did not differ between treatments. Live weight gain was higher in lambs subjected to an extended spring grazing period (255 g/d) compared to common farm practice (228 g/d) and spring and summer grazing on the abandoned grassland (203 g/d), and carcass value was 14% higher in lambs on extended spring grazing compared to common farm practice. In autumn, sheep preferred to graze areas grazed by sheep during summer. Re-introduction of grazing stimulated forage production, and extended spring grazing improved performance in lambs. This study has quantified the value of abandoned grassland as a feed resource.

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“…From where, it is possible that the reduction of the rate of ovulation is due to a stress effect, particularly of climatic origin. Research approved by (20), similar to those found on the European continent (Norwegian breeds), justify that the average mortality of summer lambs in the farms does not exceed 10%.…”

Section: Recorded Birthsmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…The high average of the factors raised was the weight influenced by the size of the litter (single, double and triple) and the feed satisfaction rate (Breastfeeding), where 60% of breeders proclaim these factors for three systems followed the season (20 and 30%) and finally the shelter which presents only a rate of (10 to 20%). The small mortality difference between single and double litters and the substantial increase of size two to three justified the hypothesis of the tendency of these losses in lambs (20). According to studies already developed intra-partum or lambing mortality accounts for between 12% and 45% (23), where several causes are involved in games, notably the weight of the litter.…”

Section: Multiple Causes Of Recorded Mortalitiesmentioning

confidence: 79%

Lambing and mortality rate in Ouled-Djellal sheeps in Tebessa region-Algeria

Douh¹,

Aissaoui²,

Hicher³

et al. 2019

IJVS

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The aim of this work is to study lamb births and mortalities in Algerian sheep Ouled Djellal breed distributed in different zones of Tébessa region, which is divided according to bioclimatic stage, staff in livestock and area agricultural vocation, into four distinct zones: northern (A, B), middle (C) and southern zone (D). During two years 2015-2016, birth numbers (BN) and mortality rates (MR) of 355 sheep flocks were recorded using a questionnaire. Concerning BN the total number was 21244 lambs representing a mean 59±31 per flock. No significant differences between the birth means of C and D (75±28 vs 83±30) were registered. Birth mean was significantly higher (P<0,05) in B (40±17) than A (29±10), when comparison with C and D, the births of A and B were highly significantly (P<0,001). According to (BN) the studied region were classified into 3 zone groups: (a) with high lambing rate (C, D); (b) with medium lambing rate (B); (c) with low lambing (A). In regard to mortality rates, the total rate was 24±6%. The (MR) in A (27±5%) was significantly higher (P<0,05) as compared to other zones (B) 24±4%, (C) 23±7% and (D) 22±4%. However, no significant differences between B, C and D were revealed. According to the results of (MR) the studied region was classified into two groups: (a) with low MR (C, D), (b) with high MR (A, B). Our result showed that zones influence the (BN) and (MR) in Tébessa region, and southern zones especially D seems the appropriate to practice breeding of Ouled Djellal breed.

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Effect of birth weight, gender and litter characteristics on summer mortality in lambs of Norwegian breeds

Cited by 5 publications

References 19 publications

Differences in the Spacing Behaviour of Two Breeds of Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries) - Influence of Artificial Selection?

Differences in the Spacing Behaviour of Two Breeds of Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries) - Influence of Artificial Selection?

Effects of Grazing Abandoned Grassland on Herbage Production and Utilization, and Sheep Preference and Performance

Lambing and mortality rate in Ouled-Djellal sheeps in Tebessa region-Algeria

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