The intake of milk by suckled, newborn lambs and the effects of twinning and cold exposure.

Abstract

Clun Forest ewes with single and twin lambs were exposed to neutral (20 degrees) or cold (-1 degree) environmental temperatures, beginning soon after parturition, for 4 d. The intakes of milk, lactose and glycerides by the lambs were calculated from measurements of the rate of displacement of tritiated water (injected into the lambs) by non-radioactive water in milk from the ewes, and measurements of the concentration of lactose and glyceride glycerol in small samples of milk. The yield of milk from ewes bearing twin lambs was greater than the yield from single-bearing ewes in the neutral environment but, in both environments, twin lambs had lower intakes of milk and milk lactose and glycerides, and gained body-weight more slowly, than single lambs. Milk from twin-bearing ewes had a lower lactose concentration than milk from single-bearing ewes. Cold exposure reduced the intake of milk and milk lactose, and reduced the rate of weight gain, of single and twin lambs. Glyceride intake was not different in the two environments. There appears to be a conflict between reduced supply of milk by the ewe and increased demand for milk by the lamb in cold temperatures. Such a conflict is sharpened when twin lambs are born.