Nutritional effects on puberty and production performance of ewe lambs and goat kids
Journal
Options Mediterraneennes
Date Issued
2000
Abstract
Chios ewe lambs and Damascus goat kids born in autumn or spring were used to study nutritional
effects during development on their performance. Within species and season of birth, the animals were allocated
at random to 3 equal sized groups. Group A animals were put on a high, group B on a medium plane of nutrition
and group C on a medium plus increased protein intake from 3 weeks prior to the start and until the end of
mating. At monthly intervals, the animals were weighed and feed offered was adjusted accordingly. Following
mating, all animals were housed and fed as a single group at slightly above maintenance plus a pregnancy
allowance for the last 6 weeks prepartum. With the exception of the induced higher BW at mating, daily BW gain
and daily concentrate and roughage intake until mating of animals in group A compared to those in B and C,
there were no differences among treatments for litter size and 60 d milk yield in either autumn born or spring born
lambs and kids. Similarly, there was no difference among treatments in the no. of animals pregnant and
delivering. Based on the findings of the present study it may be concluded that there is no need for BW greater
than 44 kg (around 65% of mature BW) at mating and of additional (>14% CP DM) protein 3 weeks prior to start
and until the end of mating to attain higher productive and reproductive performance of lambs and kids.
effects during development on their performance. Within species and season of birth, the animals were allocated
at random to 3 equal sized groups. Group A animals were put on a high, group B on a medium plane of nutrition
and group C on a medium plus increased protein intake from 3 weeks prior to the start and until the end of
mating. At monthly intervals, the animals were weighed and feed offered was adjusted accordingly. Following
mating, all animals were housed and fed as a single group at slightly above maintenance plus a pregnancy
allowance for the last 6 weeks prepartum. With the exception of the induced higher BW at mating, daily BW gain
and daily concentrate and roughage intake until mating of animals in group A compared to those in B and C,
there were no differences among treatments for litter size and 60 d milk yield in either autumn born or spring born
lambs and kids. Similarly, there was no difference among treatments in the no. of animals pregnant and
delivering. Based on the findings of the present study it may be concluded that there is no need for BW greater
than 44 kg (around 65% of mature BW) at mating and of additional (>14% CP DM) protein 3 weeks prior to start
and until the end of mating to attain higher productive and reproductive performance of lambs and kids.