Lactation pattern in Mandya ewes and its influence on body weight gain in pre-weaning lambs

Abstract

A study was undertaken to investigate lactation pattern and the relationship between milk yield and body weight gain in Mandya lambs. Twenty-four ewes were selected for the study as and when lambing occurred. The mean birth weight of lambs was 2.10±0.01 kg. The colostrum intake at 6 h and 24 h after birth was 3.2 and 9.8% of birth weight. The mean daily milk yield of the Mandya ewes was 304 ml over a period of eight weeks. Average fat, total solids, protein, solids-not-fat, ash and lactose contents of milk were 8.60, 20.18, 4.95, 11.55, 0.80, and 5.82%, respectively. The average daily gain in lambs was 68 g over the period of eight weeks. There was significant (P<0.001) and positive correlation (r2 =0.84) between milk intake and lamb weight gain. The total body weight loss of dams was 2.22 kg in 34 days of lactation (@ 65.3 g/day). Four lambs which were provided dry feed along with milk, gained an average of 77 g/day. The average daily gain from milk and dry feed were 46 and 33 g, respectively. Up to fifth week, weight gain from milk exceeded over dry feed and then onwards gain from dry feed exceeded over the gain from milk intake. The study suggested that milk yield of the dams is a limiting factor for growth of lambs in pre-weaning stage. Alow persistency of lactation yield associated with body weight loss in ewes is suggestive of nutritional inadequacy in grazing ewes during pregnancy and lactation.