PRE-WEANING LAMB PERFORMANCE, MILK PRODUCTION AND QUALITY IN HAIR SHEEP EWES
Milk composition, production and lamb growth were determined in hair sheep ewes during eight week of lactation. The study included 45 ewes, Blackbelly (n=15), Katahdin (n=15) and Pelibuey (n=15), with a mean body weight of 35 (± 3) kg, mean age of 3 years and a body condition score of 3-4. Milk production was estimated by the method of double weighing of the lamb, prior and after suckling, after being separated from their dams, the milk production was estimated for a period of 24 hours. Milk samples were collected weekly and analyzed for protein, fat and lactose content, using a Lactoscan apparatus. Birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and pre-weaning weight gain (PWG) of lambs were recorded. Milk production was not different among breeds (P>0,05), average milk production was 652,8 g/day, but protein, fat and lactose were different (P<0,05) among breeds, with overall means of 5,34%, 6,03% and 3,17%, respectively. Breed of dam only affected (P<0,05) PWG (Blackbelly lambs gained less), means for BW, WW and PWG were 3,46 kg, 9,55 kg and 194,44 g/day, respectively. In addition, single and male lambs had larger (P<0,05) BW, WW and PWG than twin and female lambs. It is concluded that breed of dam affected milk composition and type of birth affected milk production; in addition, breed did not affect BW nor WW, but, it did affect PWG. Type of birth and sex affected BW, WW and PWG.
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | spa |
| Published: |
Instituto de Innovación Agropecuaria de Panamá
2022
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| Online Access: | http://www.revistacienciaagropecuaria.ac.pa/index.php/ciencia-agropecuaria/article/view/583 |
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