scholarly journals Intake of Spineless Cladodes of Opuntia ficus-indica During Late Pregnancy Improves Progeny Performance in Underfed Sheep

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venancio Cuevas Reyes ◽  
Francisco Santiago Hernandez ◽  
Manuel de Jesus Flores Najera ◽  
Juan Manuel Vazquez Garcia ◽  
Jorge Urrutia Morales ◽  
...  

The present study tested whether feeding ewes during the last third of pregnancy with cladodes of Opuntia (untreated or protein-enriched), as an alternative to alfalfa hay, would improve milk yield as well as the pre- and post-natal growth of their lambs. Sixty mature Rambouillet ewes and their progeny were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments: (i) Control, fed alfalfa; (ii) Opuntia, fed untreated cladodes; (iii) E-Opuntia, fed protein-enriched cladodes (pre-treated with urea and ammonium sulphate). Birth weight did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05) but Control ewes produced more milk than both groups of Opuntia-fed ewes (p < 0.05). However, milk yield was not related to the growth of the progeny (p > 0.05) because lambs from E-Opuntia-fed ewes grew faster (p < 0.01) and were heavier at weaning (p < 0.05) than lambs from the other two groups. We conclude that Opuntia (with or without protein enrichment) can be used as an alternative to alfalfa hay for feeding ewes during the last third of pregnancy and therefore reduce production costs under extensive conditions in arid and semiarid regions. Moreover, protein-enriched Opuntia appears to improve postnatal lamb growth.

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 121-121
Author(s):  
T.M. Boland ◽  
L. Hayes ◽  
J.J. Murphy ◽  
J.J. Callan ◽  
T.F. Crosby

Approximately 75% of ewes are housed in Ireland for some portion of the winter, normally the late gestation period. This coincides with a large increase in dietary requirements, with 80% of lamb birth weight laid down in the final two months of gestation (Robinson, 1990) and also udder development during this period. Traditionally, these nutritional requirements were met by feeding grass silage ad libitum and supplementing with concentrates on a stepped rate with advancing pregnancy. With the introduction of the decoupled single farm payment and an ever-decreasing labour supply, sheep producers are looking for financially attractive, low labour alternatives and a concentrate based diet may be one such alternative. The objectives of this experiment were to compare an all concentrate diet supplemented with different fibre sources with the standard silage based diet supplemented with concentrates on feed intake, ewe performance and lamb growth to weaning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
MA Islam ◽  
MB Sarker ◽  
A Khatun ◽  
MR Amin ◽  
M Moniruzzaman

Supplementation of concentrate feed during late pregnancy of doe is an approach to improve milk yield and kid performance after kidding. The experiment was conducted to find out appropriate level and duration of supplementation to the pregnant doe. The data of the experiment were analyzed applying Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with factorial arrangements with three replications. First factor used in the experiment was the duration of concentrate feeding (15 days, 30 days, 45 days and 60 days) and second was amount of concentrate supplemented (2.00%, 1.75%, 1.50% and 1.25% of their body weight). Birth weight, weaning weight, milk yield and kid mortality in different groups were recorded. Birth weight and weaning weight were found higher in 60 days supplemented group i.e. 2.3±0.23 kg and 10.94±0.41 kg, respectively. Both birth weight and weaning weight were also found higher with 2 percent concentrate feeding group than others i.e. 2.1±0.23 kg and 9.64±0.42 kg, respectively. Milk yield recorded for fourth week shows that higher milk yields were found in 2 percent concentrate supplemented group with 60 days time period. The result showed that by increasing the level of concentrate during late gestation period of does increased the birth weight, weaning weight of kids and increased milk yield of does. So the higher level of concentrate supplementation is required during 45 to 60 days of late gestation in does. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2019. 48 (1): 57-66


1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 587 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Hall ◽  
LR Piper ◽  
AR Egan ◽  
BM Bindon

Booroola ewes in moderate body condition on pasture, were either not supplemented, or supplemented prior to parturition with lupin grain for 9 days in a preliminary experiment, or with lupin or oat grain for 17 days in the main experiment. Measurements included lamb birth weight and survival and, in the main experiment only, ewe milk production and lamb immunoglobulin concentrations. With 9 days of lupin grain supplementation, lamb survival to weaning increased by about 12% (P<0.05), size of litter weaned increased from 1.26 to 1.52 (P<0.01) and lamb birth weight increased by about 0.2 kg (P<0.01). In the main experiment, supplementation with lupins resulted in 95% survival to day 9 of twin-born lambs, compared with 68% for lambs from control and oat-fed ewes (P<0.05). Extra lamb losses, due to starvation in the unsupplemented group, were matched by losses due to dystocia in the fed groups. Lamb birth weights, and ewe milk production and composition, were similar across treatments. During the feeding treatment period, only the lupin supplemented ewes maintained their fat score while the other ewes lost 0.5 of a fat score (P<0.01). Fewer (P<0.1) multiple-born lambs from lupin supplemented ewes had low serum immunoglobulin scores, indicating that the lupin supplement may have affected production or intake of colostrum.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
SH Ghimire ◽  
DP Adhikari ◽  
S Malla ◽  
R Kadel ◽  
RP Ghimire

Supplementation of concentrate feed during late pregnancy of doe is an approach to improve milk yield and kid performance after kidding. The experiment was conducted to find out appropriate level and duration of supplementation to the pregnant doe. The data of the experiment were analyzed applying Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with factorial arrangements with three replications. First factor used in the experiment was the duration of concentrate feeding (15 days, 30 days, 45 days and 60 days) and second was amount of concentrate supplemented (2.00%, 1.75%, 1.50% and 1.25% of their body weight). Birth weight, weaning weight, milk yield and kid mortality in different groups were recorded. Birth weight and weaning weight were found higher in 60 days supplemented group i.e. 2.3±0.23 kg and 10.94±0.41 kg, respectively. Both birth weight and weaning weight were also found higher with 2 percent concentrate feeding group than others i.e. 2.1±0.23 kg and 9.64±0.42 kg, respectively. Milk yield recorded for fourth week shows that higher milk yields were found in 2 percent concentrate supplemented group with 60 days time period. The result showed that by increasing the level of concentrate during late gestation period of does increased the birth weight, weaning weight of kids and increased milk yield of does. So the higher level of concentrate supplementation is required during 45 to 60 days of late gestation in does. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2019. 48 (1): 23-28


1970 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 55-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mahmudul Hassan ◽  
SM Niaz Mahmud ◽  
SKM Azizul Islam ◽  
Omar Faruk Miazi

The present investigation was carried out to detect the status of different productive and reproductive parameters of Black Bengal and Crossbred goats at Bandaikhara village under Atrai Upazilla of Naogaon district during the period of September to December/2005. The average age at first sign of heat of Black Bengal goats was better than that of Crossbred goats. In Black Bengal goat the average age at first kidding was 360.5±10 days, whereas, in crossbred goats it was 411.5±15.5 day. Significantly (P<0.01) lower the post partum heat period in Black Bengal goat than the crossbred goat. The average kidding interval in Black Bengal and Crossbred goats were 179±20 and 270±22 days respectively and differences are statistically significant (P<0.01). The usual numbers of kids at one time in Black Bengal goats vary from single to quadruplet. On the other hand, litter size of crossbred goat was single or twin. The average birth weight of Black Bengal goat was lower than Crossbred goats, which are statistically significant (P<0.05). The average body weight gain after 365 days is better in Crossbred than Black Bengal goats and statistically significant (P<0.01). The average milk yield in Crossbred goat was 1.05 liter/day, whereas, in Black Bengal goat, it produces milk that only nourished its kids. It was concluded that the reproductive performance like early maturity, larger litter size, shorter postpartum period, minimum kidding interval are better in Black Bengal goat. On the other hand productive performance like higher birth weight, maximum body weight gain, high milk yield, longer lactation length are suitable in crossbred goat. Key words: Black Bengal goat, Crossbred goat, Production, Reproduction, Performance Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 26, 2007. pp. 55-57


1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
DJ Jordan ◽  
DG Mayer

A pen study investigated the effects of udder damage and 3 levels of nutrition (110, 90 and 70% of maintenance requirements) during the pre- and post-natal period on the performance of Merino ewes and lambs. Udder damage (only 1 functional teat) significantly reduced (P< 0.05) estimated daily milk yield of ewes (1 139 v. 963 mL/day), growth rate (180.5 v. 143.7 g/ day) and liveweight of lambs (10.1 v. 8.8 kg) at 4-6 weeks of age. Lamb survival was significantly reduced only in the 70% of maintenance treatment (82.2 v. 64.8%). Nutrition level significantly (P< 0.05) affected ewe and lamb performance. Estimated daily ewe milk yield (1146, 1070 and 938 mL/day), ewe liveweight (40.4, 39.2 and 37.1 kg) at lamb marking, and lamb growth rate (178.1, 169.5 and 138.8 g/day) and liveweight (10.2, 9.6 and 8.6 kg) at 4-6 weeks were significantly higher for ewes fed on 110 and 90% of their requirements than for ewes fed at 70% of their requirements respectively. Lamb survival (89.9%) from ewes fed at 110% of requirements was significantly higher than lamb survival (75.3 and 73.5%) from ewes fed at 90 and 70% of requirements respectively. There was no significant interaction between the level of nutrition and udder damage in any parameter of ewe or lamb performance. Birth weight (3.0 v. 3.8 kg) and survival (49.3 v. 84.2%) were significantly (P<0.01) lower in twins than in single birth lambs. Growth rate of single lambs and single survivors of twins reared as single lambs were similar (167 and 160 g/day respectively); both of these groups grew more rapidly (P< 0.01) than lambs reared as twins (91 g/day). Lamb growth rate was positively correlated with ewe milk yield (r=0.75; P<0.01), ewe weight (r = 0.37; P< 0.01) and lamb birth weight (r = 0.24; P< 0.05). Lamb birth weight and ewe milk yield were also significantly and positively correlated with ewe weight. Male lambs were significantly heavier at birth and grew significantly faster than female lambs.


2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anamaria Almeida Costa Tavares ◽  
Marcos Neves Pereira ◽  
Marcelo Rodrigo Tavares ◽  
Márcio Luiz Chaves

Replacement of corn by citrus pulp or coffee hulls explores the potential of dairy cows to digest fiber-rich feedstuffs. However, for the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, replacing citrus pulp by coffee hulls may reduce milk production costs, since citrus pulp needs to be imported from another state, while coffee hulls are highly available at essentially no cost. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of crossbred cows fed concentrates containing 25% coffee hulls (Coffee) or 25% citrus pulp (Pulp) as a replacement for ground corn grain (Corn; 47.4% in the concentrate). Forty-two cows were blocked based on milk yield and allocated to one of the three treatments for 56 days, following a 14-day standardization period. Concentrates were fed twice a day during the milking routine, 1 kg to each 2.5 kg of the average milk yield for the block, determined at the end of the standardization period. The daily 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield was 7.5 kg for Corn, 7.9 kg for Pulp and 6.2 kg for Coffee (P < 0.01). Cows consuming coffee hulls had greater body weight loss (P = 0.03). Feed orts during milking amounted to 30% of the concentrate offered in Coffee, greater than the other treatments throughout the experimental period (P < 0.01). The mean daily intake of coffee hulls was 575 grams. The frequency of cows reluctant to enter the milking parlor yoke was 10% for Coffee and 1% for the other two treatments (P < 0.01). There was no detectable effect of coffee hulls on cow temperament and frequency of defecation during milking, as well as on somatic cell count (P > 0.26). The Pulp concentrate provided the highest financial efficiency, while Coffee was the least efficient (P < 0.01). These data suggest that the potential of use of coffee hulls is low when added at rates equal to or greater than 25% of the concentrate offered during the milking routine.


1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Sheehan ◽  
M. J. Lawlor

SUMMARY1. Four groups of 20 ewes were individually fed in late pregnancy on: (1) silage ad libitum, (2) silage ad libitum and 12 kg rolled barley, (3) silage ad libitum and 23 kg rolled barley, (4) pelleted milled dried grass ad libitum. The concentrate was offered on a rising plane over the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. After parturition the ewes and lambs were put on spring pasture.2. The intake of silage by twin-bearing ewes fell slightly but nonsignificantly during week 16 of pregnancy but thereafter remained steady up to lambing. There was no other decline in intake on any of the treatments. Barley, however, significantly depressed silage intake when the quantity was increased above 282 g per day.3. Single-bearing ewes, except those on treatment 1, gained in net body weight during late pregnancy. Twin-bearing ewes on treatment 4 gained in net body weight while those on the other treatments lost weight.4. Birth weights of single lambs from ewes on treatment 1 were significantly lower than those from treatment 3. This was the only significant difference in birth weight or subsequent growth rates of single lambs. Birth weights of twin lambs on treatment 1 were significantly lower than those on the other treatments.5. The birth weight of twin lambs appeared to be an important determinant of subsequent performance, and may thus be a valuable criterion of the adequacy of the ewe's diet in late pregnancy.6. With medium-quality autumn silages, 12 kg of barley given during late pregnancy is sufficient to ensure good reproductive performance in ewes.


2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 59-59
Author(s):  
R.W. Annett ◽  
A.F. Carson

Nutrition of ewes during late pregnancy is a key factor influencing lamb survival and subsequent lamb growth and performance. Results from on-farm trials indicate that the superior lamb output from highly prolific compared with moderately prolific ewe breed types is less in grass-based compared with indoor lambing systems (Carson and Dawson, 2002). This is as a result of higher mortality rates of triplet lambs in outdoor systems with lower levels of intervention. Feeding and management strategies to maximise lamb viability for multiple births are required for grass-based lambing systems. Protein nutrition is likely to be a key factor, particularly considering that energy intakes in late pregnancy in triplet-bearing ewes are unlikely to meet requirements (Robinson, 1983). At sub-optimal energy intakes the supply of rumen undegraded protein is a major determinant of colostrum production and lamb birth weight. The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effect of supplementing grass-based diets with concentrates with a range of digestible undegradable protein concentrations on colostrum production and lamb output.


1985 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Apolant ◽  
D. M. B. Chestnutt

ABSTRACTOver a period of 3 years, silages subjected to various mechanical treatments by the use of conventional silage harvesters were offered ad libitum to pregnant ewes and to castrated male lambs and the effects on intake and productivity were measured. The intake of silage made from grass harvested with a precision-chop harvester was substantially greater than the intake of silage made with other types of harvester (especially, a flail harvester), causing a lower degree of comminution.Mean daily silage dry-matter intake of ewes was 0·99 kg and 1·28 kg in mid-pregnancy, and 0·85 kg and 1·10 kg in late pregnancy with flail-harvested and precision-chop silages respectively. Silage was supplemented with various levels of concentrate in late pregnancy and an increasing level of concentrates did not reduce silage intake. In early lactation, when 800 g concentrate was given daily, ewes consumed 1·00 kg flail-harvested silage and 1·39 kg precision-chop silage. Compared with flail-harvested silage, precision-chop silage increased ewe body weight immediately post lambing by 5·1 kg, lamb birth weight by 0·27 kg and lamb growth rate by 58 g/day. Increases in intake of precision-chop silages by hoggets were on average greater, though more variable, than by ewes and were reflected in increased carcass weight.The reason for the increased intake of the finely-chopped silage was examined. It would appear that the major factor is the physical size of particle involved though there was some evidence that improved fermentation resulting from finer chopping may have been partly responsible for increased intake.


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