Does early pregnancy nutrition affect the performance of triplet-bearing ewes and their progeny to weaning?

Triplet-bearing ewes were offered one of three pastoral-based nutritional regimens from day 21 to day 50 of pregnancy (P21 to P50): su3b-maintenance (SM), maintenance (M) or ad lib (AD). From P50 to term, ewes were managed with the aim of ensuring total liveweight increased with expected gravid uter...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	New Zealand journal of agricultural research 2011-06, Vol.54 (2), p.115-123
Main Authors:	Kenyon, PR, Pain, SJ, Hutton, PG, Morris, ST, Blair, HT
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	birth weight birthweight body condition colostrum diet therapy early pregnancy ewes lamb growth lamb survival lambs Nutrition Pregnancy progeny uterus Weaning weaning weight
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Triplet-bearing ewes were offered one of three pastoral-based nutritional regimens from day 21 to day 50 of pregnancy (P21 to P50): su3b-maintenance (SM), maintenance (M) or ad lib (AD). From P50 to term, ewes were managed with the aim of ensuring total liveweight increased with expected gravid uterus mass. AD ewes were heavier (P < 0.05) and had greater (P < 0.05) body condition scores than both SM and M ewes at P50, with the latter two treatments not differing (P > 0.05). Ewe nutritional treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on lamb birthweight, indices of colostrum uptake or lamb weaning weight. In conclusion, the data suggest that the nutrition of triplet-bearing ewes in the early pregnancy period can be controlled without any deleterious effects to offspring. However, it is important to note that in mid to late pregnancy the ewes were managed to ensure gravid uterus development was not impeded.
ISSN:	1175-8775 0028-8233 1175-8775