Reproductive performance and growth in captive collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus)

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 777-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Hasler ◽  
E. M. Banks

Various aspects of reproduction and growth were studied in a laboratory colony of collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus). Males and females were maintained successfully as breeding pairs, and as many as 17 successive litters were produced by one pair. Litter size increased with parity through the third litter and decreased after the eighth. Gestation, which was 19.5 to 21.5 days in non-lactating females, was extended to a maximum of 23 days in lactating females. Postpartum estrus continued throughout the duration of lactation in some females. Males made up less than 38% of the total number of lemmings produced in the colony, regardless of litter size or age at sexing. There was a significant amount of heterogeneity in the sex ratios produced by different pairs of lemmings. Rabbit chow increased reproductive performance compared with a fresh produce diet. Reproductive performance was increased by long photoperiod compared with short photoperiod. Birth weight was independent of litter size but weaning weight was negatively correlated with size of the litter.

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1016-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torgny Gustafsson ◽  
Bertil Andersson ◽  
Lilian Westlin

Reproduction was studied in a laboratory colony of bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus. Litter size was mainly dependent on parity, the mean being 4.3 in primiparous and 5.3 in multiparous females. Mortality of young during the nursing period was also affected by the order of litter, with a minimum in the third litter (14%). Most of this mortality took place during the first 3 days after birth. Gestation was 18.3 days in primiparous females. Postpartum estrus and mating was usual and the length of the resulting pregnancy was prolonged by lactation (19.1 days for zero sucklings vs. 22 days for four or more sucklings).


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight


1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
RC Malik ◽  
MA Razzaque ◽  
S Abbas ◽  
T Al-Mutawa ◽  
N Al-Khozam

The reproductive performance under intensive management of Border Leicester x Merino (BLM), Dorset x Merino (DM), and Suffolk x Merino (SM) ewes imported from Australia, and local fat-tailed Naeemi (N) ewes mated to N rams was studied. Progeny performance for birth and weaning weights, average daily gain (ADG) and preweaning survival was also evaluated. BLM ewes showed the highest reproductive performance. They produced and weaned (at 8 weeks) significantly more lambs (P<0.05) than any of the other ewe genotypes. The reproductive performance of the BLM, N, DM and SM ewes, mated twice, 8 months apart, was 127, 85, 91 and 85 respectively for percentage of lambs born to ewes joined, 109, 72, 77 and 70 respectively for percentage of lambs weaned to ewes joined, and 17.8, 13.5, 12.1 and 11.6 kg respectively of lamb weaned per ewe joined over the period of 13 months from the first joining until last lambs weaned. The effect of season on ewe reproduction was significant. Birth weight was not influenced by genotype or season but did change significantly with litter size. Genetic group, litter size, season of birth and birth weight were significant sources of variation in the ADG and weaning weight of the lamb. N x BLM lambs were weaned at significantly heavier weights than lambs of the remaining 3 groups. Season of birth and birth weight also significantly affected preweaning lamb survival. About 86% of the lambs born alive were weaned with little difference between genetic groups in survival rates.


1973 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
J. E. Betts

SummaryDuring 3 years, three groups of 20 Scottish half-bred ewes were grazed on perennial ryegrass, white clover or red clover. During this period the two legumes were oestrogenic, in terms of teat-length extension of wethers, but the perennial ryegrass was not. The white clover was only markedly oestrogenic when there was a high proportion of diseased leaves. The mean litter size and lambing percentage of the ewes grazed on red clover was significantly reduced. White clover, although it was oestrogenic, had no effect on mean litter size or lambing percentage. The mean litter size of the ewes on the perennial ryegrass was 2·35, 2·30 and 2·24, on the white clover was 2·20, 2·33 and 2·23 and on the red clover was 1middot;60, 1·67 and 1·78 for the three lambings. Lambing percentage of the ewes on the perennial ryegrass was 175, 225 and 218, on the white clover was 210, 222 and 189, and on the red clover was 160, 128 and 118 for the three lambings. The lambing date of the ewes grazing on the red clover was significantly later at the third lambing.


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. GREENBERG ◽  
J. P. MAHONE

Forty-one sows were divided into two groups where animals were either exposed to a long photoperiod (16 h L:8 h D) or a short photoperiod (8 h L:16 h D) 1 mo before parturition. One month prior to the following parturition, sows were switched to the opposite light treatment and maintained on this treatment until the following estrus. Birth weight and litter size at birth of piglets conceived under natural lighting (15.4 h L) did not significantly differ from piglets conceived under a 16 h L or 8 h L photoperiod. Litter size at weaning and weight of piglets did not significantly differ for receiving a 16 h L or an 8 h L regime followed by the opposite treatment. The length of time to return to heat from weaning to next estrus was unaffected by photoperiod. The results from this experiment indicate that photoperiods of 16 h L:8 h D or 8 h L:16 h D have no influence on reproductive efficiency or lactation in sows. Key words: Light, photoperiod, production, swine, sows


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 41-49
Author(s):  
O. A. Osinowo ◽  
M. S. Doma ◽  
N. Pathiraja ◽  
V. Buvanendran

Ninety-four pregnant Yankasa ewes were divided into 3 groups and fed;(1) 0, (2) 200 or (3) 400 g/head/day of a concentrate supplement in addition to 6 h grazing daily, from 35.9±2.0 days before, to 98. 122.0 days after lambing in the dry season between 2 Jan vary and 15 May 1984 in Zaria, Northern Nigeria. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) bet den groups in litter size and adjusted birth weight in the initial lambing 35.9±2.0 days into the experiment although the latter showed consistent increase with level of supplementation. Adjusted 90-day Weaning weights increased significantly (P<0.05) with each increase in level of supplementation: 5:5, 7.1 and 8.6kg for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Correspondingly, the percentage of lambs weaned increased (48.6, 56.4 and 90.7%) while ewe mortality declined (12.9, 10.0 and 3.0%) with increasing level of supplementation, The percentage of ewes exhibiting oestrus within 98.1±2.0 days postpartum increased with level of supplementation: 77,8,91.3 and 96.8% for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. However, of the ewes showing oestrus, there were no significant differences between groups in post-partum intervals to oestrus and conception. Litter size from matings during the experiment showed non-significant increase with level of supplementation. It is concluded that dry season supplementary feeding is essential for optimum reproductive performance of Yankasa sheep in a twice-yearly lambing programme. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Prabowo ◽  
Subiharta Subiharta ◽  
Pita Sudrajad ◽  
Iswanto Iswanto ◽  
Sularno Sularno ◽  
...  

This study aims to determine the effect of supplementary feeding on the reproductive performance of beef cattle and calf birth weight. Additional feed is given to cows who are pregnant (8-9 months) and after giving birth for 3 months. Additional feed provided is a complete feed prepared from local feed ingredients. The objectives of this supplementary feeding are: maintaining the condition of the mother's body, maintaining normal embryo growth, and accelerating postpartum estrus, as has been done in Megal Village, Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. Provision of additional feed to old pregnant beef cattle (8-9 months) and after giving birth for 3 months in Megal Village, Pamotan District, Rembang Regency. The conclusion of this study is that the provision of additional feed 5 kg / head / day to old pregnant beef cattle and after giving birth for 3 months can reduce the weight loss of beef cattle broods when the availability of feed is limited, increase birth weight of calves and accelerate postpartum estrus. estrus for the first time after childbirth). Provision of additional feed to late pregnant beef cattle and after giving birth is highly recommended, especially in areas where the availability of feed fluctuates.Key words: supplementary feed, reproduction, beef cattle


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
B. B. A. Taiwo ◽  
V. Buvanendran ◽  
I. F. Adu

Effects of the body condition on the litter size, birth weight and kids survival of Red Sokoto goat were examined using seventy eight does aged 1-3 years. The does were flushed by grazing on cultivated pastures in the morning, and when indoor, they were served 500gm of concentrate ration per head per day. Their body conditions were assessed. All does used in this study fell within the body condition 1 with a mean body weight of 20.7kg and the body condition 2 with a mean weight of 24.1kg on a condition scale where 1 is poor and 2 is fair. They were randomly assigned to six sire groups and making lasted ten weeks. All does were reared as a group before and after parturition until the kids were weaned at 12 weeks. Does on condition score 2 significantly higher litter size (1.74) reared more kids to weaning (0.68) and were superior to does on condition score 1in overall productivity measured as number of kids weaned (89.21 vs 45.85%) or weight of kids weaned per doe kidding (4.92 vs 2.40kg). Does on the condition score 2 were twice condition score 1. The large difference in productivity would seem to justify investments in nutrition to breeding does prior to mating


2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAMY Khandoker ◽  
N Afini ◽  
A Azwan

An experiment was conducted at AZ-Zahra Farm, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia to investigate the productive and reproductive performance of Saanen dairy goat. Body weight at different ages were collected once while birth weight was collected when does gave birth. On the other hand, milk production of each individual per day was received continuously for three months. The data on reproductive parameters such as length of estrus cycle, duration of estrus period, age at puberty, gestation length, age at first kidding, litter size, birth weight and kid mortality were noted. Descriptive statistics such as number, percentage, mean, standard deviation were performed. T-test was also conducted to know the statistical difference between the groups. Result demonstrated that body weight increases significantly (p<0.01) with the advancement of the age. The highest daily milk yield was found in 2-3 years of age. Dam with multiple kids produced more milk than dam with single kid. Estrus cycle of Saanen goats was found 21 days, the average estrus period duration was 2.75 days, age at puberty was 8.33 months, first kidding age was 14.2 months and gestation period was 150 days on an average. With the increase of the age of dam litter size increased. Meanwhile average birth weight increased as age of dam increased from 2.85 kg in 1 year to 3.26 kg in 3 years. Male kids born heavier than females (3.23±0.62 vs. 2.75±0.58 kg) and single kids were heavier than twin kids (3.07±0.66 kgvs2.70±0.28 kg). Low mortality rate of kids was recorded in this study (6.4%). It can be concluded that the overall productive and reproductive performances of Saanen goat at AZ-Zahra farm were within the acceptable level and the variation recorded in different parameters is very much usual. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2018. 47 (1): 1-12


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