Effect of time of joining and rate of stocking on the production of Corriedale ewes in southern Victoria. 2. Survival and growth of lambs

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (69) ◽  
pp. 434 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Kenney ◽  
IF Davis
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Single Birth

A study of the survival and growth of lambs was made over a three year period (1968 to 1970) on a flock of 540 ewes grazing annual pasture at Werribee, Victoria. Ewes were stocked at three rates (5, 7 1/2 and 10 ha-1) and lambed between July 6 and August 20 or between September 10 and October 29 each year. Observations were made on the same ewes each year. Rate of stocking had no effect on the birth weight of lambs but single-birth lambs born in September were lighter than those born in July. More twins were born in September than in July and a smaller proportion of lambs born survived from the September than from the July lambing. Of the lambs born to ewes stocked at 10 ha-1 in 1968 and 1969 a smaller proportion survived than of the lambs born to ewes stocked at 5 ha-1. The growth rate of lambs born in July was constant between birth and weaning at 12 weeks of age but declined as rates of stocking increased. When the lambs born in September were about eight weeks old the pastures matured and growth rates of lambs declined and at weaning liveweights of lambs from plots stocked at different rates were similar. Lambs born in July on plots stocked at 5 and 79 ewes ha-1 were as much as eight kilograms heavier at weaning than the lambs born in September at equivalent rates of stocking. Neither rate nor time of onset of milk production was significantly affected by stocking rate.

The production characteristics of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds in Turkey

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Yilmaz ◽  
M. Ozcan ◽  
B. Ekiz ◽  
A. Ceyhan ◽  
A. Altine
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Marmara Region ◽  
Sheep Breeds ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Production Characteristics

SummaryThis study was carried out to investigate the fertility, milk production and body weight of ewes and the survival and growth characteristics of lambs of the indigenous Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds. The Imroz and Kivircik sheep breeds are included among the genetic resources in the project for the conservation of the indigenous breeds in Turkey.Conception rates for Imroz and Kivircik ewes were 57.6% and 81.7% respectively, litter sizes were 1.2 and 1.2 respectively, milk yields were 89 kg and 62 kg respectively and average live weights (2–7 years of age) were 43 kg and 55 kg, respectively. Imroz and Kivircik lambs had survival rates at weaning (90th day) of 98% and 96%, birth weights of 3.3 kg and 4.1 kg and weaning weights of 19.8 kg and 28.0 kg, respectively.The results showed that the Kivircik sheep were heavier and the lambs had a better growth rate until weaning than the Imroz breed. However, the milk production of the Imroz ewes was higher than that of Kivircik. The lambs of both breeds had a satisfactory survival and growth rates until weaning and these results might be regarded as a desired adaptation of the Imroz and Kivircik lambs to the environmental conditions of the Marmara Region.

Performance of crossbred progeny of Trangie Fertility Merino and Booroola Merino rams and Poll Dorset ewes. 1. Lamb birth weight, survival and growth

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Hall ◽  
NM Fogarty ◽  
AR Gilmour
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
The Common ◽  
Lamb Survival

Merino rams of the Trangie Fertility and Booroola strains were joined to Poll Dorset ewes in single sire mating groups over 3 years. Forty sires produced a total of 1250 lambs in 885 litters from 451 ewes. Lamb birth weight averaged 4.1 kg, 80.8% of lambs survived to 3 days of age and growth rates to weaning (mean 93 days) averaged 289 g/day. Lambs with Trangie Fertility sires grew 15 g/day faster and were 1.3 kg heavier at weaning than those lambs with Booroola sires (P<0.001). There were no effects of sire strain on birth weight or lamb survival. Birth weight increased with dam liveweight in mid-pregnancy (P<0.001), and weaning weight and growth rate increased with dam liveweight at joining (P<0.001). Survival of lambs was predominantly a function of birth weight. Lambs weighing 4 kg at birth from primiparous dams had survival rates of 76% compared with 88% for lambs from multiparous dams (P<0.01). No lamb under 2.0 or over 6.3 kg survived, and 48% of deaths occurred within 1 day of birth. Dystocia, particularly of heavy, single-born lambs, caused 53% of observed lamb deaths. For the traits birth weight, lamb survival, weaning weight and growth rate, the direct heritabilities were 0.24 � 0.10, 0.05 � 0.05, 0.19 � 0.10 and 0.12 � 0.08 respectively; the corresponding maternal heritabilities were 0.08 � 0.05, 0.05 � 0.04, 0.05 � 0.05 and 0.07 � 0.05 respectively; and the common environmental effects among litter mates (c2) were 0.57 � 0.08, 0.47 � 0.08, 0.15 � 0.08 and 0.13 � 0.08 respectively.

scholarly journals Can lambs compensate for less milk by grazing more often?

2002 ◽  
pp. 103-105
Author(s):  
C.A.M. Moffat ◽  
J.M. Deaker ◽  
G.J. Wallace ◽  
M.W. Fisher ◽  
P.D. Muir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Milk Supply ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth

Lamb behaviour was investigated where varying stocking rates and rearing rank indirectly induced differences in ewe milk production. 24 Romney x Poll Dorset ewes, with either twin or single lambs, were stocked at either 25 or 15 ewes per hectare, three weeks after lambing (2 August ± 1.0 days). Lamb activity (grazing, otherwise active, or inactive) was determined by instantaneous scan sampling at 3-min intervals over 4 hours at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age. Milk production, estimated by machine milking and lamb live weights were also measured at these ages, on the day prior to observations. Ewes with twin lambs produced slightly more milk than ewes with singles (213 vs. 183 ml per 4 hours, respectively). Ewes on the high stocking rate produced an average of 181 ml milk per 4 hours compared with 216 ml per 4 hours in the low stocking rate group. Twin lambs spent significantly more time grazing than did single lambs (52.3% vs. 41.0% overall, respectively) and lambs on the higher stocking rate spent on average 10% more time grazing, than those stocked less densely. These results suggest that lambs with access to less milk spend more time by grazing, but this does not adequately compensate for the lower milk supply which resulted in reduced lamb growth rates. This raises the possibility of enhancing lamb growth rates prior to weaning by providing high quality, lamb-specific forage to the lamb independently of the ewe. Keywords: ewe milk production, grazing, lamb behaviour, lamb growth rate

Stocking rate, joining time, fodder conservation and productivity of Merino ewes. 2. Birth weight, survival and growth of lambs

1977 ◽  
Vol 17 (89) ◽  
pp. 909
Author(s):  
JK Egan ◽  
RL Thompson ◽  
JS McIntyre
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Treatment Effects ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Western Victoria ◽  
Lamb Growth

In an experiment at Hamilton in western Victoria, groups of 30 Merino ewes were stocked at 11.7, 15.4 or 19.2 ewes ha-1 and joined to Merino rams each year on April 5 or May 8 for five weeks. Hay was conserved on half the number of plots and fed back to the ewes before and during joining. Observations on birth weight, survival, and growth of lambs born between 1970-73 are presented. Both the highest stocking rate and the earlier lambing were associated with a depression of about 7 per cent in the birth weight of twin lambs, but single lambs had similar birth weights on all treatments. Lamb survival was highly variable and there were few significant treatment effects. However, mortalities within 48 hours of birth were lower amongst flocks joined to lamb in October than those lambing in September (single lambs 9.2 per cent vs. 14.7 per cent-twin lambs 19.9 per cent vs. 40.2 per cent). Most of the improvement was attributed to drier conditions and lower windspeeds in October. Lamb growth rates fell with increasing stocking rate but the variation in weaning weight was less than 2 kg. Lambs born in September were about 10 per cent heavier at weaning than those born in October. Compensatory growth after weaning resulted in negligible differences in weight at 12 months between lambs from the different stocking rate treatments, but lambs born in September were still significantly heavier than those born in October.

Gestation length, birth weight and growth rates of pure-bred indigenous goats and their crosses in Kenya

1988 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ruvuna ◽  
T. C. Cartwright ◽  
H. Blackburn ◽  
M. Okeyo ◽  
S. Chema
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
East African ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cross Breeding ◽  
Indigenous Goats

SummaryData on gestation period of 701 indigenous East African and Galla does and pre- and postweaning growth of 810 pure-bred and cross-bred kids were analysed by least squares statistical analysis. Breeds of kids were East African, Galla, Toggenburg × East African, Toggenburg × Galla, Anglo-Nubian × East African and Anglo-Nubian × Galla. Average gestation length was 149 days and was significantly (P < 0·05) affected by type of birth of the kid, year–month of kidding, and age of dam. Does carrying twins had shorter gestation length than does carrying singles. Sex and breed of kid did not have significant effect on gestation length.Significant (P < 0·05) factors affecting birth weight, weight at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 210 and 270 days of age, and preweaning growth rate were breed and sex of kid, type of birth, year–month and age of dam. Male kids grew faster and were heavier than females. Kids born single were heavier and grew faster than twin-born kids. Kids from dams less than 3 years old weighed less than kids from older dams. Cross-bred kids had higher preweaning growth rates than indigenous pure-bred kids. The Anglo-Nubian × Galla cross was heaviest while the East African ranked lowest. The results point to importance of cross-breeding with temperate breeds to increase growth rates of indigenous goats. Comparison of Toggenburg and Anglo-Nubian sires for cross-breeding showed both buck breeds produced kids with roughly equal growth rates. Evaluation of indigenous Galla and East African dams for cross-breeding showed Galla dams produced heavier kids than East African but preweaning growth rates were not significantly different.

Birth weight, liveweight gain in early life, and subsequent gain in sheep and cattle

1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 837 ◽  
Author(s):  
ID Wardrop
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Significant Gain ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

The relationships between birth weight, liveweight gain in early life, and subsequent gain of cattle and sheep grazing improved pastures were studied. In both species the correlations between liveweights at each age were highly significant. For female lambs, but not for males, birth weight was significantly correlated with the subsequent liveweight gain to 3 weeks, and this gain was significantly correlated with the subsequent gain to 17 weeks of age. These sex differences could be explained by the more variable growth rates of the female lambs. Ewe milk production and lamb milk intakes from birth to 3 weeks of age were significantly correlated with the liveweight gain over that period, but not with the subsequent gain. In cattle the correlation between birth weight and the liveweight gain to 6 weeks of age was non-significant. Gain from birth to 6 weeks was significantly correlated with gain between 6 and 36 weeks of age (weaning), but not with gain between 36 and 89 weeks (slaughter). The correlations between the gains, birth or 6 weeks to weaning, with the subsequent gains to slaughter were highly significant.

An analysis of growth of different cattle genotypes reared in different environments

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Frisch ◽  
T. E. Vercoe
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Environmental Stresses ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
High Growth Potential

SummaryCalves from three breeds, Brahman, Hereford × Shorthorn (HS) and Brahman × HS (BX), were divided equally into two groups, one of which was treated every 3 weeks from birth onwards to control ticks and gastrointestinal helminths, and one of which was untreated. Mortalities, growth rates and levels of resistance to environmental stresses that affected both mortality and growth under grazing conditions were recorded for all animals up to weaning (6 months) and for all males up to 15 months of age. The Brahmans were the most and the HS were the least resistant to environmental stresses, each of which was shown to depress growth in proportion to its magnitude and to contribute to the high mortalities of the HS. All breeds responded positively to parasite control with the greatest response in both survival and growth in the HS breed and the least response in the Brahman breed.Samples of males from the various breed-treatment groups were taken into pens where they were protected from environmental stresses and fed both low-quality pasture hay and high-quality lucerne hay ad libitum. Measurements were made of fasting metabolism, maintenance requirement, voluntary food intake and gain, variables related to the growth potential of each animal. The HS animals had the highest whilst the Brahmans had the lowest values for each variable.However, despite their low growth potential, the Brahmans had the highest growtli rate, and the HS, despite their high growth potential, had the lowest growth rate, when growth was measured in the presence of all environmental stresses. When parasites were controlled, growth rates were highest for the BX, the breed with intermediate growtli potential, and did not differ between the HS and Brahmans. These interactions arose because of the different contributions of resistance to environmental stresses and growth potential to growth rate measured at the different levels of environmental stresses. The relevance of these interactions to breed evaluation and cross-breeding is considered.Growth potential and resistance to environmental stresses were negatively correlated both between and within breeds, though the latter was biased by the effects of compensation. The influence of these relationships on the likely outcome of selection for increased growth rate, both between and within breeds, is discussed.

Carrying the FecB (Booroola) mutation is associated with lower birth weight and slower post-weaning growth rate for lambs, as well as a lighter mature bodyweight for ewes

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 433 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Gootwine ◽  
A. Rozov ◽  
A. Bor ◽  
S. Reicher
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Maternal Effect ◽  
Lower Birth Weight ◽  
Ewe Lambs

The present study was conducted in an Assaf flock in which the FecB (Booroola) mutation was segregated to determine whether the FecB mutation affects birthweight and the pre- and post-weaning growth rate of ewe lambs, as well as the mature bodyweight of ewes. Significant differences (P = 0.01) in birthweight (mean ± s.e.m.) were found between BB ewe lambs (4.03 ± 0.08 kg) and B+ and ++ ewe lambs (4.16 ± 0.04 and 4.32 ± 0.07 kg, respectively), which themselves did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). An FecB-associated maternal effect on the birthweight of ewe lambs was also detected, with the birthweight of lambs born to BB mothers (3.93 ± 0.08 kg) being significantly (P < 0.0001) different from the birthweight of lambs born to B+ and ++ mothers (4.26 ± 0.04 and 4.33 ± 0.07 kg, respectively), which did not differ significantly. The genotypes of the lambs did not affect their preweaning growth rate. However, the post-weaning growth rate of ewe BB lambs (274 ± 5 g day−1) was significantly (P = 0.05) different from the similar (P > 0.05) post-weaning growth rates of B+ and ++ lambs (284 ± 3 and 290 ± 4 g day−1, respectively). The genotype at the FecB locus also affected the mature bodyweight of ewes, with that of BB ewes (67.3 ± 1.4 kg) being significantly (P < 0.001) different from the similar mature bodyweight of B+ and ++ ewes (70.8 ± 1.1 and 70.1 ± 1.7 kg, respectively).

scholarly journals Phenotypic and genetic parameters for growth traits in Red Chittagong Cattle of Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Rabeya ◽  
AKFH Bhuiyan ◽  
MA Habib ◽  
MS Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Season Of Birth ◽  
Indigenous Cattle ◽  
Estimated Parameters ◽  
Significant Difference

The present study was carried out to estimate phenotypic and genetic parameters of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) for growth traits. Means of birth weight (BW), three month weight (3MW), six month weight (6MW), weaning weight (WW), nine month weight (9MW) and yearling weight (YW) were 15.74, 31.48, 45.33, 57.00, 60.91 and 76.18 kg respectively. Sex significantly (p<0.001) differed BW of calves but did not differ (p>0.05) 3MW, 6MW, WW, 9MW and YW. BW, 6MW, WW, 9MW and YW did not vary significantly (p>0.05) on year of birth but varied significantly (p<0.01) on 3MW. Season of birth had significant difference on 3MW (p<0.001), 6MW (p<0.01) and WW (p<0.01) but had no significant difference (p>0.05) on BW, 9MW and YW. The growth rates at zero to six month (6MGR) and six to twelve month (12MGR) were 0.17 and 0.17 kg /d respectively. Growth rate in both stages had no significant effect (p>0.05) on sex and year of birth. 6MGR had no significant effect (p>0.05) on season of birth but had significant (p<0.05) effect on 12MGR. From single trait analyses heritability (h2) of BW, 3MW, 6MW, WW, 9MW, YW, 6MGR and 12MGR were 0.497, 0.468, 0.475, 0.467, 0.447, 0.478, 0.499 and 0.65, respectively, whereas from multi-trait analysis heritability (h2) of first four traits were 0.498, 0.456, 0.500 and 0.490, respectively. Genetic correlations of BW with 3MW, 6MW and WW were 0.23, 0.38, and 0.53, respectively, 3MW with 6MW and WW were 0.78 and 0.69, respectively and 6MW with WW was 0.76. Estimated heritability values were rather high in magnitude and indicate that these traits would likely respond to selection. Estimates of phenotypic correlations among the traits studied were very low to moderate with values ranging from -0.40 to 0.81, whereas magnitude of genetic correlation ranged from 0.23 to 0.78. It was concluded that these estimated parameters would help to understand the biology of the traits and in designing breeding programme for other indigenous cattle in general. Keywords: Phenotypic and Genetic parameters; Growth traits; Red Chittagong cattle DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v7i2.4733 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 7(2): 265-271, 2009

Effects of lupin grain and type of cereal grain on the value of a hay supplement in the diet of lambing ewes during drought

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 766
Author(s):  
PA Kenney
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
Fleece Weight

Two flocks of Border Leicester x Merino ewes, due to lamb at different times (early or late winter), were fed drought rations of either wheat or oat grain, with or without lupin grain, and with or without hay, from 2 weeks before to 6 weeks after lambing. All ewes were offered an estimated 8.7 and 14.5 MJ ME/head.day when pregnant and lactating, respectively. Lupins, when included in the diet, replaced 25% of cereal grain ME; and hay replaced 14% and 20% of cereal grain ME for pregnant and lactating ewes, respectively. Treatment rations had no effect on liveweight or condition of the ewes. Effects on lamb birth weights, growth rate to 17 days, numbers weaned, ewe milk production after 29 days lactation and ewe fleece weights were as follows. Feeding oats, in comparison to wheat, improved growth rate (30 g/day), numbers weaned (16 per 100 ewes lambing) and fleece weight (90 g). Feeding lupins improved birth weight (0.2 kg), growth rate (20 g/day), numbers weaned (12 per 100 ewes lambing), milk production (18 ml/h) and fleece weight (70 g). Feeding hay improved growth rate (17 g/day) but decreased fleece weight (160 g). There were no interactions between treatments. Treatment rations did not affect fertility in the year following feeding.

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