The growth of lambs before and after birth in relation to the level of nutrition

Abstract

SUMMARY In the investigation described, we have observed a t monthly intervals throughout gestation the changes taking place in a series of similar ewes, in lamb to the same ram, and each receiving the same standard diet. In following the live-weight growth curves of the ewes it was found that on a constant level of feeding the weight gains became greater during each succeeding month of pregnancy, and at corresponding stages were larger for ditocous than for monotocous ewes. This was found to be due to the fact that, although on our diet the ewes did gain slightly in actual body weight, the main increases in live weight resulted from the growth of the gravid uterus itself, and this increases in weight far more rapidly in the later stages of gestation, and is also heavier where twins are carried.