Effect of Diet on Milk Yield of the Ewe and Growth of her Lamb

Abstract

Ewes (Cheviot) were carried on high or low planes of nutrition during the latter half of pregnancy. After parturition, 4 groups were formed: (1) high-plane ewes suckling their own lambs, (2) high-place ewes suckling lambs born to low-plane ewes, (3) low-plane ewes suckling their own lambs, and (4) low-plane ewes suckling lambs from high-plane ewes. All twins-used were suckled as singles. High-plane ewes averaged 20 gal. milk production during a 13-wk. lactation as compared to 11 gal. for low-plane ewes. Raising the place of nutrition after lambing did not appear to increase the milk supply quickly enough to benefit the lambs. Lambs transferred from low-plane to high-plane mothers at birth took advantage of the increased milk supply, but were still smaller at weaning than those born to and suckled by high-plane ewes. Lambs transferred from high to low-plane ewes at birth showed a high mortality. Level of nutrition during late pregnancy apparently affects greatly both the vitality of the newborn lamb and the milk supply of the ewe.