Effect of twin-bearing ewe body condition score and late pregnancy nutrition on lamb performance.

摘要

This study aimed to investigate the effects of ewe body condition score and nutrition on twin-bearing ewes and their offspring. At maximum Day 112 of pregnancy (range 96-112 days), 185 twin-bearing ewes were allocated to either a 'Medium' or 'ad libitum' (Adlib) feeding treatment for the following 25 days (P112-P136). Each feeding treatment included ewes of body condition score: 2.0 (CS2.0, Medium n=32, Adlib n=28), CS2.5 (Medium n=31, Adlib n=33) or CS3.0 (Medium n=30, Adlib n=31). After P136 ewes were offered Adlib feeding conditions. Medium treatment ewes were lighter (P<0.05) than Adlib ewes at P136 and P142 and displayed lower (P<0.05) body condition score at P136 and back-fat depths at P142. CS2.0 ewes had lower (P<0.05) liveweights and body condition score at P112, P136 and P142 than CS2.5 ewes, which in turn had lower (P<0.05) liveweight and body condition scores than CS3.0 ewes. Ewe feeding treatment had no effect (P