Effect of supplementation of ewes in the final third of gestation on the development of their lambs

• Published in: Revista brasileira de zootecnia Vol. 51
• Main Authors: Campos, Nathália Rafaela Fidelis, Difante, Gelson dos Santos, Gurgel, Antonio Leandro Chaves, Costa, Carolina Marques, Montagner, Denise Baptaglin, Emerenciano, João Virgínio, Ítavo, Luís Carlos Vinhas, Ítavo, Camila Celeste Brandão Ferreira, Netto, Roldão Teixeira de Carvalho, Véras, Emmanuel Lievio de Lima, Costa, Ana Beatriz Graciano da
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia 01.01.2022
• Subjects: AGRICULTURE, DAIRY & ANIMAL SCIENCE; body biometrics; Brachiaria; reproductive efficiency; VETERINARY SCIENCES; weight gain; reproductive efficiency; Brachiaria; body biometrics; weight gain
• ISSN: 1516-3598; 1806-9290; 1806-9290
• DOI: 10.37496/rbz5120210094

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of different supplementation strategies for ewes in the last third of gestation, kept on a deferred Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture, on their performance and the growth curve of their lambs. A total of 54 ewes, of no defined breed, with an average weight of 41.10±3.10 kg, were used in a completely randomized design, divided into three groups (18 ewes per treatment). In total, 61 lambs were born, 28 females and 33 males, with 3.70±0.55 and 3.68±0.69 kg birth weight, respectively. Treatments were as follows: multiple mixture ad libitum, concentrate supplement at 0.4% live weight (LW), and concentrate supplement at 0.8% LW. Average daily weight gain (ADG, g/animal/day) and total weight gain (TWG, kg/animal) were evaluated in ewes and lambs. Reproductive efficiency indices were measured in the ewes and biometric variables in the lambs. The ADG and TWG of ewes in the last third of gestation were higher in animals supplemented at 0.8% LW. Reproductive efficiency results were superior in ewes supplemented at 0.4% LW. The effect of ewe supplementation on lamb growth curve as estimated by the Gompertz model did not reveal differences between the curves of lambs born to ewes that received supplementation at 0.4 and 0.8% LW. However, supplementing ewes with a multiple mixture induced a reduction in the growth curve parameters of their lambs. The use of concentrated supplementation, at levels of 0.4 and 0.8% of LW, provides greater productive and reproductive performance for ewes and lambs.