Differences in the productivity of twin- and single-bearing, spring-lambing Corriedale ewes and their progeny were studied over 8 years at the Experimental Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Paysandu, Uruguay. Lambing ewes, grazing improved pastures during late pregnancy and early lactation, produced 9.7% less wool than dry ewes, gestation and lactation accounting for 4.5 and 5.2% of this difference, respectively. No difference in wool production was found between ewes rearing 1 or 2 lambs. Twin-born sheep produced 1.8% less wool than singles, but the difference decreased with age. Twin-born ewes had a 7.5% higher lambing rate than single-born ewes, but the mortality rate among their lambs was higher (37.1 v. 20.4%). The liveweight of single-born sheep was higher than that of twins by 20.4%, 16.0% and 11.4% at marking, weaning and 11 1 days of age, respectively. We suggest that the difference in productivity between twin- and single-bearing ewes, and their lambs, can be minimised by adequate nutrition in late pregnancy and early lactation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.