R. Ripoll-Bosch, J. Álvarez-Rodríguez, I. Blasco, R. Picazo y M. Joy
Issue:
108-3 (298-311)
Topic:
Animal Production
Keywords:
Ewes, live weight, body condition score, blood metabolites, suckling lambs
Summary:
The aim of this study was to characterize the productive potential of the Ojinegra sheep breed at two
levels of body condition score (BAJA, ≤ 2.50 vs. ALTA, > 2.50), so that to prospect the production of suckling
lambs (10-12 kg live weight at a threshold of 45 days old). Fifty-eight winter-lambing Ojinegra ewes were used. Ewes were stalled indoors and fed 1 kg of concentrate per day and cereal straw ad libitum.
Live weight (PV) of ewes and lambs were registered weekly during lactation (6 weeks). Body condition
score (CC) of ewes was measured at lambing and at weeks 3 and 6 of lactation. Twenty-two ewes were
randomly selected to evaluate milk production and blood metabolites related with energy balance (nonesterified
fatty acids, AGNE, and β-hydroxybutyrate, BHB). Ewes’ PV after lambing was affected by the
week of lactation (P < 0.001), but not by ewes’ CC (49.0 ± 1.5 kg; P > 0.05). Blood AGNE and BHB contents
were not affected by CC at lambing (P > 0.05), with mean values of 0.30 ± 0.06 and 0.54 ± 0.02 mmol/l
for AGNE and BHB respectively. However, AGNE concentration decreased during lactation (P < 0.001). Week
of lactation and CC at lambing had no effect on milk production (P > 0.05); with mean milk production
of 813 g/day (mean standardized production 702 ml/day). The average daily gain (ADG) of lambs was not
affected by ewes’ CC at lambing (148 vs. 154 ± 9 g/day, for ALTA vs. BAJA, respectively; P > 0.05). The average
PV of lambs at weaning was 9.6 ± 0.3 kg. In conclusion, milk production of Ojinegra sheep breed
is moderate and it might condition the attainment of target 10-12 kg live-weight for suckling lamb category
at a maximum age of 45 days old. These results should be confirmed in future studies, assessing the
maternal capacity of Ojinegra ewe under diverse management and feeding systems.
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