The yield and composition of the milk of Finnish Landrace × Blackface ewes: I. Ewes and lambs maintained indoors

Abstract

Twenty-two Finnish Landrace x Blackface ewes suckling either single, twin, triplet or quadruplet lambs were maintained indoors during a 12-week lactation period. Milk production was estimated at weekly intervals by hand milking following oxytocin administration. Milk was collected from each ewe in four similar volumetric portions which were retained in order of withdrawal and analysed for maj or constituents. Weighted volumes of milk from each of the four portions were bulked to give a single sample for analysis. Estimated mean total milk production over a 12-week period from parturition was 134, 205, 212 and 218kg for single-, twin-,triplet-and quadruplet-suckled ewes respectively. Most of the difference in total yield between multiple-suckled groups of ewes occurred during the first 3 weeks of lactation, and the data indicate that the number of lambs born, or the total weight of concepta, influences the initial quantity of milk available to the lambs. Regression analysis showed significant evidence for difference between the linear components of the regression of milk yield, fat, protein, lactose and Gross Energy on the stage of lactation for all suckling groups. The concentration of all constituents other than lactose and ash was higher in colostral milk, but was significantly higher only in respect of fat, protein and Gross Energy. Substantial differences found between suckling groups in respect of fat and protein, content of the milks indicate an influence on these constituents due to the number of lambs suckled. The mean growth rates of the triplet-and quadruplet-suckled groups of lambs were each significantly lower than each of the single-and twin-suckled groups. The food intake of the ewes in relation to shape of lactation curves and consequent lamb growth is discussed. (1957) have shown that durunder similar conditions, Finnish Landrace x Black-ing the milking process, the fat content of cow's milk face ewes produce 70 % more lambs at birth than may rise from 1 to 2 % in the first drawn milk to pure-bred Blackface ewes. It is possible, therefore, 8-15 % in the last portion. In sheep, Rusev, that the genetic influence of the Finnish Landrace Georgiev & Tanev (1964) found that the fat content breed could be used to increase the number of lambs of the last 40 % of milk extracted may be double reared in the hill areas of Britain, particularly in that of the first 60 % withdrawn. It is probable, situations where the natural environment has been therefore, that some of the variation reported in improved. However, it is not known if this greater the constituent values of ewe's milk in the literature prolificacy is associated with an adequate capacity is due to differences in sampling technique, for milk production to sustain acceptable growth This paper is concerned with the yield and cornrates in litters of lambs. Donald, Read & Russell (1968) have shown that, Johansson & Claessonposition of ewe's milk and the variation in composiInformation from several sources, quoted by tion occurring at sequential stages ...

Relationships between Ewe Milk Production and Composition and Preweaning Lamb Weight Gain

“…This value is within the range reported in other studies, such as 25% (Addleman et al, 1964), 22% (Barnicoat et al, 1949b), 22% , 13 to 33% , 35% (Peart et al, 1972) and 18 to 41% (Slen et al, 1963). The ability of twin lambs to more completely evacuate the udder early in lactation has been cited as the main factor explaining this difference .…”

“…The reverse tendency was observed in a later study with Hampshire and Corriedale ewes, even though the difference was not statistically significant. Peart et al (1972) concluded that number of lambs suckled did substantially influence fat and protein content of the 8 milk; ewes nursing triplets had the highest percent of milk fat followed by ewes nursing twins and then by ewes nursing singles. This order was reversed for milk protein percent.…”

Influence of breed, number of suckling lambs, and stage of lactation on ewe milk production and lamb growth under range conditions.

“…Protein percentages were generally similar among ewes with singles or twins mable 3). Lower milk protein levels associated with suckling twins have been reported earlier (Gardner and Hogue, 1964;Peart et al, 1972).…”

Effect of herbage allowance during pregnancy and lactation on feed intake, milk production, body composition and energy utilization of ewes at pasture

“…The 20-22% initially greater udder weight of twin-bearing ewes and associated 11-13% greater average milk yield during the 6-week period are real effects of pregnancy status since all ewes were either machine-milked or suckled by twin lambs. The differences, though much smaller than those expected between ewes rearing twin v. single lambs (Wallace, 1948;Coop & Drew, 1963;Peart, 1967;Peart, Edwards & Donaldson, 1972;Geenty, 1979), are interesting physiologically.…”