Productive Performance Of Lambs Research Articles

Correction: Productive performance of lambs fed with high-moisture triticale grain ensiled with different additives

Correction: Productive performance of lambs fed with high-moisture triticale grain ensiled with different additives

Productive performance of lambs fed with high-moisture triticale grain ensiled with different additives

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance, nutrient intake, and ingestive behavior of lambs fed high-moisture triticale grain (HMTG) ensiled with different additives. Twenty-four intact male lambs with an initial body weight (BW) of 20.05 ± 2.88 kg were assigned to one of four dietary treatments: silage of HMTG, without additive; silage of HMTG ensiled with enzyme–bacterial additive; silage of HMTG ensiled with 0.5% urea; and silage of HMTG ensiled with 1.5% sodium benzoate. No difference (P > 0.05) was seen in the performance (with an average daily weight gain of 210 g d−1), nutrient intake, or ingestive behavior of the lambs. There was a significant difference in the intake of ether extract according to the additive used in the silage. The highest intake (in relation to metabolic BW) was found for HMTG ensiled with enzyme–bacterial additive: 1.49 g kg−1 BW0.75. The silage of HMTG can be used as a single source of concentrate, aiming at moderate weight gains for feedlot lambs, thus providing an alternative for the conservation of nutritional quality of ensiling without causing changes in the performance of the animals.

Performance, Ingestive Behavior and Gastrointestinal Helminths Control of Suckling Lambs Supplemented in Creep-Fed and Not Supplemented in Tropical Pastures

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, ingestive behavior and gastrointestinal helminths control of suckling lambs raised on pastures of Brachiaria ssp. supplemented in creep-fed and not supplemented. Thirty-one lambs being 15 lambs in the control treatment (without supplementation) and 16 lambs in the creep feeding treatment (with protein-energetic supplementation) were evaluated. Performance of lambs supplemented was superior to lambs no-supplemented. Lambs without supplemented had weaning age of 81 days and an average gain of 194 grams. Lambs supplemented showed weaning age of 58 days and average daily gain of 268 grams. eggs per gram of stool (EPG) count in the control treatment was 4553, while in the creep feeding treatment the mean was 763. The morbidity rate caused by gastrointestinal helminths in the control treatment was 6.6% and there was no morbidity due to helminths in the treatment creep feeding. The morbidity rate due to hepatogenic intoxication was 46.6% in control and 12.5% in the lambs supplemented. The ingestion of protein-energy supplementation in creep feeding promoted an increase in productive performance of lambs, as well as increased resistance and tolerance to gastrointestinal infections and decreased cases of hepatogenic intoxication by ingestion of Brachiaria spp.

Effect of body weight of ewes and milk yield in productive performance of lambs, milk yield and components of Awassi sheep

Effect of body weight of ewes and milk yield in productive performance of lambs, milk yield and components of Awassi sheep

Simulated disease process during late pregnancy compromises developmental outcomes of lambs independently of the weaning method applied

Stress during pregnancy negatively affects fetal development, and artificial weaning can negatively affect animal health and welfare; however, maternal care can reverse the possible consequences of stress on the offspring. Our study aims to determine the combined effect of a prenatal disease challenge and artificial weaning on welfare and productive performance of lambs. During pregnancy, 43 ewes were distributed into three experimental groups, and at 70th and 120th days of pregnancy (Ig;n=14; Fg=14;), the ewes were administered with Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Fifteen ewes were included in the control group (Cg=15). Cortisol and rectal temperature measurements were done subsequently to LPS or saline injection. Fourty-six lambs (21 males; 25 females) born in a six-day interval from Ig, Fg, and Cg ewes were subjected to two types of weaning, namely progressive (from 39 to 45days) and abrupt (at 45days of age). Lamb data, including plasma cortisol levels, rectal temperature, weaning weight, and performance in feedlot were analyzed and compared through F test and Student's t-test (PDIFF; P=0.05). The injection of LPS resulted in a 619% increase in cortisol levels after two hours, and rectal temperature reached 39.48±0.134°C after four hours of LPS administration in a pregnant sheep. Both male and female lambs from the Fg group had lower birth weight (P<0.05) as compared to other groups. Cortisol levels and rectal temperature decreased during progressive weaning (P<0.05), in which a higher weaning weight was observed than in abrupt weaning (P<0.05). On the first day at feedlot, cortisol level was reduced after 60min upon entrance (P <0.05), and higher cortisol values were observed during abrupt weaning (P <0.05). Lower values of dry mater intake and average daily gain were observed for Fg males (P<0.05). LPS challenge during late pregnancy compromised the lambs’ indicators of productive performance. Albeit progressive weaning was less stressful during feedlot entrance and total bond separation, more days of maternal care during weaning had no relation with stress during pregnancy.

Desempenho produtivo e características de carcaça de ovinos mantidos em pastos de duas cultivares de capim-bufel manejados em três ofertas de forragem

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o consumo de forragem, o desempenho produtivo (ganho médio diário, ganho de peso total e peso corporal final), os parâmetros de carcaça (peso de carcaça quente e rendimento de carcaça quente), além da taxa de lotação e do ganho de peso por unidade de área de pastos de capim-bufel (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) pastejados por ovinos. O trabalho foi realizado no período de setembro de 2009 a agosto de 2010, com o pasto manejado em lotação contínua. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações de duas cultivares de capim-bufel (Biloela e Cpatsa 7754) e três ofertas de forragem (4, 8 e 12kg de matéria seca/100kg de peso corporal ou 4, 8 e 12%) em arranjo fatorial 3 x 2 e delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com três repetições. As variáveis relacionadas com o consumo de forragem, desempenho produtivo do animal, características da carcaça, taxa de lotação e ganho de peso por unidade de área não foram afetadas pelas cultivares, ofertas de forragem e interação entre ofertas de forragem e cultivares. Em média os ovinos apresentaram 452,14g/animal/dia de consumo de forragem, 59,77g/animal/dia de ganho médio diário, 41,51% de rendimento de carcaça quente, enquanto os pastos permitiram em média 11,78 ovinos/ha com a obtenção de 205,64kg/ha/ano de ganho de peso.

The effect of two housing systems on productive performance of hair-type crossbreed lambs in sub-humid tropics of Mexico

ABSTRACTThe effect of two housing systems during the fattening period on productive performance of lambs from different hair-type sheep breeds in southeastern Mexico was evaluated. Effects of housing system (raised-slatted floor cages (RFC) vs. floor pens (FP)), year (2009, 2012 and 2013) and season of the year (rainy vs. dry) on average daily gain (ADG), weights adjusted to 60 (P60) and 90 (P90) days post-weaning were evaluated. Data from 1213 lambs collected on the farm over a period of three years were analysed. The ADG, P60 and P90 were affected (P < .01) by the housing system, year and the housing system × year interaction. The season was not a significant source of variation. Lambs housed in RFC were heavier (ADG 306.5 ± 2.69 g, P60 33.2 ± 0.16 kg, P90 42.4 ± 0.24 kg) than those in FP (ADG 269.4 ± 4.24 g, P60 30.9 ± 0.25 kg, P90 39.0 ± 0.38 kg) (P < .01); however, the significant interaction housing system × year suggests that productive performance of lambs may vary between years, despite the housing system. It was concluded that productive performance of hair lamb was affected by housing systems, year and their interaction.

Factores que influyen sobre algunas variables productivas en corderos finalizados en corrales elevados con piso de rejilla

La engorda de corderos en corrales elevados con piso de rejilla permite que los animales se mantengan en un ambiente sano, con reducida exposición a los parásitos, protección de los depredadores, reducción en el gasto energético y una mejor comodidad durante las estaciones calurosas del año; sin embargo, poco se conoce sobre el comportamiento productivo de los corderos bajo este sistema de producción. La identificación y focalización de los factores específicos que pueden afectar el comportamiento productivo de los corderos de engorda en corrales elevados con piso de rejilla es crucial para mejorar la productividad. Además, su conocimiento es importante para lograr índices óptimos de producción, para incrementar la producción de los corderos durante la engorda. Se analizaron 882 datos de la ganancia diaria de peso post-destete (GDP), del peso corporal final (PCF) y de los días de engorda (DE) de corderos machos de cuatro granjas (granja A, 166; granja B, 122; granja C, 350; granja D, 244). El modelo estadístico incluyo los efectos fijos de la granja (A, B, C y D), del año (2010, 2011, 2012 y 2013) y de la época del año (lluvia y seca) sobre GDP, PCF y DE. Los datos del peso corporal inicial fueron utilizados como covariable. La GDP fue afectada por la granja y el año (P &lt; 0.001), pero no por la época del año (P &gt; 0.05). El PCF y DE fueron afectado por todos los factores evaluados (P &lt; 0.001). En conclusión, el comportamiento productivo de corderos en corrales elevados en el trópico de México, es afectado por la granja, el año y parcialmente por la época del año. Los corderos engordados durante la época seca mostraron mayor PCF y DE que los corderos engordados durante la época de lluvia.

Effect of Replacing Maize Silage with Sweet Potato Vines Silage on Productive Performance of Lambs

Effect of Replacing Maize Silage with Sweet Potato Vines Silage on Productive Performance of Lambs

Effect of sodium butyrate administered in the concentrate on rumen development and productive performance of lambs in intensive production system during the suckling and the fattening periods

Sodium butyrate (SB) has been shown to improve growth rate, rumen development and health of calves. In intensive lamb production systems, the fattening period starts after a relative short suckling period, and lambs are fed a high concentrate diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of supplementing SB in the concentrate on rumen development and productive performance of lambs during the suckling and the fattening periods. During suckling, 66 lambs were distributed with their mothers in four pens. Treatments were: control concentrate (CON), and concentrate supplemented with 3.6g of SB/kg of DM (SBC). At weaning, nine lambs were slaughtered for sample collection, and 47 lambs were distributed into 12 pens for the fattening period. Treatments were: (1) CON–CON for lambs fed CON in both periods; (2) CON–SBC for lambs fed CON in the suckling and SBC in the fattening period; (3) SBC–CON for lambs fed SBC in the suckling and CON in the fattening period; and (4) SBC–SBC for lambs fed SBC in both periods. At 88 days of age all lambs were slaughtered. In both periods, concentrate dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), body weight (BW), hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage (DP), reticulum-rumen weight (RRW), rumen fluid pH, and density, length, width and keratinization of rumen papillae were measured. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated for the fattening period. During the suckling period, SBC lambs had higher DMI, ADG, HCW and DP (P<0.05), and tended to have higher rumen papillae length and lower RRW (P<0.10). During the fattening period, no difference was found among treatments. Results indicate that the supplementation of SB in the concentrate improved rumen development and productive performance of lambs during the suckling period. However, at 3 months of age, the administration of SB did not improve production in lambs reared in an intensive production system.

Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzyme and slow release urea in finishing rations for lambs

An experiment was conducted to evaluate if the combination of fibrolytic enzymes (FEs) and slow release urea (SRU) could improve the productive performance of lambs fed with a diet of 60% of concentrate. Twenty lambs were assigned to a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement (2×2). The treatments were a control group, SRU diet (1% DM), FE (0.3% DM) and the combination of both additives (SRU+FE). No interaction was detected between SRU and FE. The SRU significantly reduced the daily gain (0.14 vs. 0.20 kg/d; P < 0.01) and negatively affected the food conversion (P< 0.01; 8.24 vs. 5.99). The addition of the FE had no effect on the productive parameters or indicators of rumen fermentation. The results indicate that slow release urea can negatively affect finishing rations, and that there is no response to the addition of FEs in these conditions.

Pastoreio de curta duração com ovinos em caatinga raleada no sertão cearense

A pesquisa foi conduzida em Sobral, Ceará, no período de janeiro de 1992 a julho de 1994 e objetivou determinar o desempenho produtivo de ovinos, produção de forragem e características fitossociológicas do estrato herbáceo da caatinga raleada submetida à adubação orgânica e pastoreio de curta duração, com duas taxas de lotação. Foram testadas as cargas de 3,3 (leve) e 10 cab/ha (pesada), com (5 t/ha de esterco de caprinos) e sem adubação orgânica. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado distribuído em um fatorial 2x 2 x 3 (carga animal x adubação x ano), com duas repetições. O pastejo de ovinos resultou no desaparecimento total das gramíneas e no aumento das dicotiledôneas herbáceas no período estudado. A adubação orgânica não mostrou efeitos significantes (P&gt;0,05) quanto à performance animal e das pastagens. O melhor desempenho animal (P&lt;0,01) foi obtido nas parcelas com carga leve (3,3 cab/ha), com 108,0 g/cab/dia e o da pastagem foi observado nas áreas com carga pesada (10 cab/ha) com 71,2 kg/ha/ano. Apesar da elevada produção animal, o pastejo de curta duração, somente com ovinos, não deve ser recomendado para a caatinga raleada, por desestabilizar a composição do estrato herbáceo, principal componente da dieta desses ruminantes. Provavelmente, a alternância com outro herbívoro de hábito de pastejo e preferência alimentar diferente resultará em uma melhor sustentabilidade da exploração.