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... quantity of milk replacer fed was adjusted as lambs grew and the frequency of feeding also depended on the lamb's age; the initial amount of milk powder was 120 g/day which was gradually increased to 210 g/day over the 60 day study period. The composition of milk replacer is presented in Table 1. Lamb Start Mix and Performance Pellets (Reliance Feeds, Canterbury, New Zealand) were offered to MP lambs from 2 to 18 days of age and from 19 days of age until the end of the study respectively (see Table 1). ...Context 2
... composition of milk replacer is presented in Table 1. Lamb Start Mix and Performance Pellets (Reliance Feeds, Canterbury, New Zealand) were offered to MP lambs from 2 to 18 days of age and from 19 days of age until the end of the study respectively (see Table 1). Milk and pellet intake were recorded daily. ...Similar publications
Citations
... For this reason, they need to drink milk to survive and grow after birth. In the first 3-4 weeks, digestive systems are relatively undeveloped (Danso et al., 2014). As a result of reflex stimulation of the glossopharyngeal nerve, the milk consumed by the lambs is transmitted directly to the abomasum through the channel formed by the esophagus. ...
As with all animals, the period in their lives when lambs are most vulnerable is the period before and immediately after birth. Because this period (the suckling period) is the period of clinging to life in an environment open to microorganism contamination after the sterile uterine environment. It is very important that this difficulty can be reduced with good care and feeding practices that must be applied during this period and that the puppy lamb can have a healthy and highly productive life during this risky period and in the future. Regulation and enhancement of the intestinal microbiome is a crucial aspect for optimizing the health and performance of farm animals. This is mainly because diet and management practices greatly affect the intestinal microbiota, resulting in changes in nutrient utilization and the immune system. The intestinal health of newborn lambs is affected by feeding manipulations, as in other ruminants. In this review, the suckling period and digestive system development in newborn lambs are mentioned. Additionally, this review discusses some practices to manipulate intestinal development and microbial colonization in order to improve the production and health of newborn lambs at an early age when they are most susceptible to enteric diseases.
... Early solid feed intake improves lamb growth and rumen development [7][8][9][10]. This prepares lambs for a smoother transition to their post-weaning diet [11] and minimises potential post-weaning growth check due to better nutrient utilization through a more developed rumen and increased fermentative capacity. ...
... where, K; length of abomasum, L; width at proximal section of abomasum, M; width at distal section of abomasum. 7 Calculated as summation of volumes of rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. SE, standard error. ...
This study was designed to investigate the influence of pellet fibre level, milk replacer composition and age at weaning on growth and body composition of lambs reared artificially. Romney ram lambs were randomly allocated to one of three rearing treatments; HFP57: commercial milk replacer to 57 days of age, and high fibre concentrate pellets; HFP42: commercial milk replacer with early weaning at 42 days of age, and high fibre concentrate pellets; LFP42: high protein milk replacer from 2–16 days of age followed by commercial milk replacer with early weaning at 42 days of age, and low fibre concentrate pellets. Lambs were slaughtered at 57 days of age. Overall average daily liveweight gain of lambs did not differ (p > 0.05) between treatments. Dressing out percentage, carcass weight, empty small intestine and omental fat were higher (p < 0.05) in HFP57 than in both HFP42 and LFP42 lambs. HFP42 and LFP42 lambs had heavier (p < 0.05) empty rumen weights. Whole body protein content was higher (p < 0.05) in HFP42 lambs compared to both HFP57 and LFP42 lambs. Fat content and daily fat deposition were greater (p < 0.05) in HFP57 lambs than HFP42 and LFP42 lambs. Weaning lambs at 42 days of age with provision of either low or high fibre concentrate pellets, resulted in similar growth rates, reduced whole body fat deposition and was a more cost-effective rearing regimen.
... Ewes have been reported to produce less milk during their first than second lactation [10,43], which may also result in differences as ewes age. Lamb growth is affected by different factors, including milk production and composition and solid feed quantity and quality [44]. Although mammary ultrasound measures were positively associated with milk production in ewe lambs [14] and mature ewes [12,13], these measures do not provide information on milk composition or the lamb's herbage intake, which may explain why only half of the variation in lamb growth could be explained. ...
This study investigated potential carry-over effects of increased growth rates prior to breeding at seven months of age on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes bearing one or two lambs, and examined the association between ewe mammary structures and the growth of their progeny. Ewe live weight and mammary ultrasound measures were recorded at 119 days of pregnancy, 29 days of lactation (L29), and weaning of the progeny (L79) in 64 two-year-old ewes selected from two treatments. The heavy group (n = 32) was preferentially fed prior to their first breeding at seven months of age, achieving an average live weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg. The control group (n = 32) weighed an average of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg at breeding. Lambs (n = 74) were weighed at birth, L29 and L79. Udder ultrasound measures did not differ (p > 0.10) between treatments, indicating no carry-over effects of treatments on mammary glands of two-year-old ewes. The association between ultrasound measures and lamb growth seemed to differ depending on lamb birth rank. More research is needed to further investigate these associations and determine whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewes whose progeny would have greater growth rates based on birth rank.
... The percentage of the variation in lamb growth between birth and weaning explained by the model was consistent with that reported by Haslin et al. [10] (37%). During the first three to four weeks of life, lambs are solely dependent on milk to survive [41,42]. This early reliance of milk likely explains the greater proportion of variation in lamb growth to week three of lactation being explained by udder measurements. ...
... Regardless of these differences, the models predicted a limited amount of the variation in lamb growth, particularly between birth and weaning. Lamb growth depends on multiple factors, including milk yield and quality [43,44], and the quantity and quality of solid feed available [42]. It is likely, therefore, that ultrasound and morphological measurements of the udder alone may not explain enough variation in lamb growth to be accurate predictors. ...
Mammary cistern size was positively correlated with milk yield of mature dairy ewes, but the association in ewe lambs is unknown. This experiment aimed to examine the associations between mammary ultrasound measurements and the milk yield of ewe lambs at one year of age and to determine the accuracy of using maternal mammary ultrasound to predict single lamb growth rates. Single-bearing ewe lambs (n = 45) were randomly selected and 30 were milked once at weeks three (W3), five (W5), and seven (W7) of lactation. Mammary ultrasound scans were performed at day 110 of pregnancy, W3, W5, W7, and weaning (L69). Single lambs (n = 30) were weighed at birth and at each mammary scanning event. Udder measurements explained 26.8%, 21.4%, and 38.4% of the variation in milk yield at W3, W5 and W7, respectively, and 63.5% and 36.4% of the variation in single lamb growth to W3 and to L69. This ultrasound technique was more accurate in predicting single lamb growth to W3 than milk yield and may enable the identification of pregnant ewe lambs whose progeny would have greater growth rates. More research is needed to identify accurate indicators of superior milk yield and determine whether ultrasound could be used to select ewe lambs.
... Historically, solid feed intake of lambs was considered negligible during the first three weeks of age (Owen and Davies, 1970). However, Danso et al. (2014) reported that lambs started nibbling pellets at three days of age and pellet intake at nine days of age ranged between 13.3-63.3 g DM/d. ...
Milk replacers adjusted for crude protein to metabolizable energy (CP:ME) ratio to match the lambs’ changing requirement during first few weeks post-birth have resulted in higher pre-weaning lamb growth rate compared to commercial milk replacers with a static CP:ME ratio. This study aimed to determine if milk replacer with an adjusted CP:ME ratio to meet the lambs changing CP:ME requirement over time improved lambs growth performance during both the pre-and post-weaning periods. Twenty-seven Romney twin-born ram lambs were assigned to one of two pre-weaning milk feeding treatments: i) a commercial milk replacer (CMR, n = 14; CP:ME 12.28 g/MJ); or ii) a regularly adjusted blend of commercial milk replacer and milk protein concentrate (MB, n = 13; CP:ME starting at 16.6 g/MJ and adjusted down to approximately 13 g/MJ). All lambs were fed at 2.1 times their maintenance energy requirement. The CP:ME ratio of the MB treatment was adjusted twice-weekly to match the changing CP:ME requirements. All the lambs had ad libitum access to pellets. Lambs were weaned at 22 kg live weight (LW), transferred to a ryegrass and white clover-based pasture and reared approximately to 46 kg LW. The LW during pre- and post-weaning was recorded twice weekly and fortnightly, respectively. In the pre-weaning period, total daily CP intake and daily CP intake from milk were greatest (P < 0.05) in MB compared to CMR lambs. Daily ME intake of lambs in the pre-weaning period did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. Lambs fed MB had greater total and milk CP:ME intake (P < 0.0001), compared to CMR lambs. Average daily LW gain (ADG) during the pre-weaning phase did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. The ME intake per kilogram LW gain during the pre-weaning did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. The CP intake per kilogram LW gain during the pre-weaning was higher (P < 0.05) for MB lambs than CMR lambs. In the post-weaning period lamb LW gain and ADG did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatments. There was no correlation (P > 0.05) in overall ADG of lambs between pre-and post-weaning periods. The ADG during day one to ten at the start of experiment had a positive and significant effect on the overall post-weaning ADG (r = 0.570, P = 0.007) and ADG in first two weeks (r = 0.470, P = 0.032) of the post-weaning phase. Similar pre-and post-weaning growth rates were observed for lambs in both treatment groups, despite the pre-weaning adjustment of CP:ME to meet lambs requirements. The CMR feeding was cost effective as the pre-weaning feed cost per kilogram live weight gain was lower than that of milk blend feeding. As CMR lambs likely obtaining additional CP from pellet intake during pre-weaning, further research is warranted on the effect of CP:ME ratio of pellets, pellet intake and digestibility on growth performance of lambs reared artificially.
... Lately, Danso et al (2014) have reported that protein to energy ratio of the diet in pre-weaning lambs is a key factor affecting productivity traits. Anyhow, this ratio was only significant concerning milk replacer composition and not solid feed (creep -pellet), probably due to low pellet feed intake, indicating that milk replacer negatively affects creep intake, and, in consequence, that solid feed intake is crucial for early weaning. ...
... Present study reveals that high fiber content (low energy ration) of the diet has positive effect on stomach development (Table 4), as though as age of weaning (the sorter the higher; Table 3) but this development is not positively correlated with FCR neither ADG. In the same line, Danso et al (2014) reported that feeding milk replacers plus creep compared to lambs suckling their dams, significantly increased growth performance and organ development of lambs, however, did not affect the efficiency of feed utilization. Nutrient digestibility and metabolism of lambs weaned at different ages varies as gastrointestinal development is affected due to weaning stress (Zhong et al 2014), but it may be possible for artificially-reared or ewe-reared lambs to have a similar gastrointestinal development (Chai et al 2015). ...
One 2x3 factorial experiment (two weaning ages x 3 rations differing in energy level) was carried out in order to examine the effect of the weaning age (30 or 45 days) and the dietary energy level (12.0, 10.8 and 9.9 MJ/kg DM) on average daily live weight gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass quality and growth rate of the total volume and weight of quadrolocular stomach. A second trial to evaluate the effects of protein source on early weaned lambs was performed. Lambs can be weaned at an age of 30 d instead an age of 45 d without significant effect on production parameters. Amino acid (ΑΑ) profile of the diet proved critical, since the addition of rumen protected lysine (first limiting AA) significantly improved FCR. Sorter weaning age and high fiber content of the ration affected positively the weight of the stomach, but this was not positively correlated with growth performance. Therefore, the most crucial factors at early weaning, inclusively on solid feed, is the palatability, energy density, CP/ME ratio, and AA profile of the diet.
... Creep feeding allows lambs access to either a grain-based supplement or a high-quality herbage (also terms creep grazing), in addition to the herbage they are grazing with their dams but prevents their dam's access to it. Lambs start nibbling and consuming solid feed from as early as a week of age (Janssens and Ternouth 1987;Danso et al. 2014) and therefore creep feeding can begin relatively early in the lactation period. A number of studies have shown that creep feeding with either a high-quality herbage or a grain-based supplement can increase lamb growth to weaning (De Villiers et al. 2002;Moss et al. 2009;Terblanche et al. 2012;Brand and Brundyn 2015). ...
Triplet-bearing ewes and their lambs have the potential to improve flock productivity however, the lack of robust information on optimal nutrition and management is limiting their performance. In comparison to twins, the triplet lamb is; lighter, more metabolically challenged, has lower body temperature, and receives less colostrum and milk which combined results in lower survival rates and weaning weights. While scientifically based management guidelines are available for singletons and twins, guidelines are generally lacking for triplets. Although there is some knowledge on the impacts of nutrition, further studies are required to examine the impacts of varying feeding regimens in pregnancy and lactation, across the body condition range. Characterising the impacts of shelter and other paddock factors, stocking rate, mob size and human intervention would also be of benefit. Future studies must be large enough to allow for evaluation of lamb survival and litter birth weight variation.
... Lambs begin to ruminate from three weeks of age (Walker and Walker 1961;Wardrop and Coombe 1961), however, lambs as young as 3 days of age have been reported to consume a small amount of solid feed (Danso et al. 2014). As the lamb begins to ruminate, the proportion of their daily energy intake from pasture increases from negligible amounts at 3 weeks (approximately 21 days of age) to 80% at 15 weeks (approximately 105 days of age; Muir et al. 2000). ...
This experiment investigated the feasibility of using herb-clover mixes to enable early weaning of lambs at ∼60 days of age. Over two years, twin lambs weighing more than 16 kg were allocated to three treatments: ryegrass pastures until 90 days-of-age, herb-clover mix until 90 days-of-age or weaned at ∼60 days of age onto herb-clover mix. In 2014, lambs offered the herb-clover mix, weaned at 60 or 90 days, were heavier at 90 days than lambs grazing on pasture with their dams. In 2015, lambs that weaned early onto the herb-clover mix were lighter at the same age as lambs that remained with their dam, but they still achieved a commercial weight. Ewes weaned early were heavier at weaning than ewes suckling lambs on ryegrass pasture in both years. Under some conditions, early weaning of lambs onto a herb-clover mix can be an effective alternative to conventional weaning on ryegrass pasture.
... 67 Nutrient requirements and utilization by animals vary with breed, diet, management 68 and the environment (Galvani et al., 2008). Solid feed consumption in young lambs has been 69 observed to commence as early as three days of age, making up about 42% of their total dry 70 matter intake in the first two months of life (Danso et al., 2014). However, recommendations 71 of nutrient requirements for growing lambs pre-weaning have generally focused on milk-only 72 fed lambs (Jagusch and Mitchell, 1971; Chiou and Jordan, 1973). ...
... The stomach, liver weight and the total visceral weights were greater for MP 60 and 383 MP ad treatment groups. Increasing solid feed intake increased the weights of the 384 gastrointestinal tissues such as the stomach in pre-weaned lambs (Danso et al., 2014). 385 Therefore, the lower dressing percentage for the MP 60 and MP ad in comparison to MO and 386 MP 30 groups was not unexpected, as lambs were fed to similar final LW. ...
Estimation of metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (ME) and growth (ME) in pre-weaned lambs have been limited to milk-only fed lambs. This study aimed to determine energy and nitrogen metabolisability of milk and pellets when fed together, compare the growth and chemical body composition of lambs fed varying levels of pellets in addition to milk, and to estimate ME, ME, and the CP:ME ratio requirements for growth. The study included 32 twin-born Romney-cross ram lambs. Four lambs were slaughtered at 24 h post-partum to estimate initial body composition and the remaining 28 were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups of 7. Group 1 was fed milk replacer (MR) only; group 2 was fed MR and allowed ad libitum access to pellets; groups 3 and 4 were offered 30% and 60%, respectively of the average pellet intake of the ad libitum group the previous day while being fed MR. Milk replacer was fed as a proportion of the lamb's live weight (LW). Lambs from each treatment were placed in metabolic cages at 17 kg LW for 4 d to allow for total fecal and urine collection. All lambs were slaughtered at 18 kg LW. The ADG, ADG:ME ratio, stomach and liver weight, and rumen papillae lengths increased ( < 0.05) with increasing pellet intake. Increasing daily ME intake increased ( < 0.05) both daily energy and protein deposition but had no effect ( > 0.05) on fat deposition. However, the total chemical body composition was unaffected ( > 0.05) by dietary treatment. Digestibility of energy and N decreased ( < 0.05) with increasing ME intake. Percent energy and N retained for growth were 96% vs. 71% and 72% vs. 30% for milk and pellets, respectively. The ME and ME values obtained were 0.40 MJ ME/kg LW·d and 13.8 MJ ME/kg ADG, respectively. The CP:ME ratio of MR and pellet was 11.1 and 15.7, respectively. However, a simulation model suggested that lambs require a CP:ME ratio of 13.1 at 5 kg and 10.9 at 18 kg LW, indicating that protein intake may be limiting to lamb growth in early life and in excess by 18 kg LW. In conclusion, increasing pellet intake was associated with decreased N retention. The inclusion of pellets, however, improved the efficiency of ME utilization for growth in pre-weaned lambs and was beneficial for rumen development. The ME was higher than previously recommended values and the CP:ME intake of lambs does not match their requirements which may warrant further studies.
... Lambs were fed 4 times daily and the quantity of MR fed was adjusted as lambs grew. The quantity of MR powder fed to lambs was to provide 1.5 times maintenance using the following equation (Danso et al., 2014): Milk replacer/d, g = 66.48 + 14.3 live weight, kg. The 28 lambs were allocated to 4 treatment groups. ...
... The stomachs, liver weights and the total visceral weights were greater for MP 60 and MP ad treatment groups. Increasing solid feed intake increased the weights of the gastrointestinal tissues such as the stomach in pre-weaned lambs (Danso et al., 2014). Therefore, the lower dressing percentage for the MP 60 and MP ad in comparison to MO and MP 30 groups was not unexpected, as lambs were fed to similar final LW. ...
Estimation of metabolizable energy (ME) requirement for maintenance (MEm) and growth (MEg) in pre-weaned lambs have been limited to milkonly fed lambs. This study aimed to determine energy and nitrogen metabolisability of milk and pellets when fed together, compare the growth and chemical body composition of lambs fed varying levels of pellets in addition to milk, and to estimate MEm, MEg, and the CP:ME ratio requirements for growth. The study included 32 twin-born Romney-cross ram lambs. Four lambs were slaughtered at 24 h post-partum to estimate initial body composition and the remaining 28 were assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups of 7. Group 1 was fed milk replacer (MR) only; group 2 was fed MR and allowed ad libitum access to pellets; groups 3 and 4 were offered 30% and 60%, respectively of the average pellet intake of the ad libitum group the previous day while being fed MR. Milk replacer was fed as a proportion of the lamb’s live weight (LW). Lambs from each treatment were placed in metabolic cages at 17 kg LW for 4 d to allow for total fecal and urine collection. All lambs were slaughtered at 18 kg LW. The ADG, ADG:ME ratio, stomach and liver weight, and rumen papillae lengths increased (P < 0.05) with increasing pellet intake. Increasing daily ME intake increased (P < 0.05) both daily energy and protein deposition but had no effect (P > 0.05) on fat deposition. However, the total chemical body composition was unaffected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatment. Digestibility of energy and N decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing ME intake. Percent energy and N retained for growth were 96% vs. 71% and 72% vs. 30% for milk and pellets, respectively. The MEm and MEg values obtained were 0.40 MJ ME/kg LW0.75·d⁻¹ and 13.8 MJ ME/kg ADG, respectively. The CP:ME ratio of MR and pellet was 11.1 and 15.7, respectively. However, a simulation model suggested that lambs require a CP:ME ratio of 13.1 at 5 kg and 10.9 at 18 kg LW, indicating that protein intake may be limiting to lamb growth in early life and in excess by 18 kg LW. In conclusion, increasing pellet intake was associated with decreased N retention. The inclusion of pellets, however, improved the efficiency of ME utilization for growth in pre-weaned lambs and was beneficial for rumen development. The MEg was higher than previously recommended values and the CP:ME intake of lambs does not match their requirements which may warrant further studies. © 2016 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.
