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Effects of Feed and Length of Flushing Period on Lamb Production in Range Ewes

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Abstract

Approximately 1200 Columbia and Targhee ewes were randomized within age and breeding pen into eight treatment groups in which supplementation with 0.7 lb. of oats for varying lengths of time before and during breeding were compared. An identical experiment was conducted using 1 lb. of alfalfa pellets as a supplement in lieu of oats on a comparable group of ewes. Oat supplementation had a significant effect (P<.10) in mature ewes on number of live lambs born, pounds of live lamb born, and pounds of lamb weaned. Treatment means varied from 1.25 to 1.49 for number of live lambs born, 12.5 to 15.0 lb. of live lamb born, and 80.3 to 98.9 lb. of lamb weaned per ewe present at lambing. A short flushing period (17 days) immediately prior to breeding increased lamb production over the controls. Extending this period an additional 17 days during breeding produced no further increase in production but increased costs. A further 17-day extension caused an apparent production decline from that obtained by shorter flushing periods. Ewes on native grass hay for 17 days prior to breeding had lower lamb production than those on dry, native pasture. Alfalfa pellets had an apparent but nonsignificant flushing effect on lamb production in mature ewes. Neither oats nor alfalfa pellets had significant flushing effects on 2-year-old ewes. Both oat and alfalfa pellet supplementation significantly increased body weight during treatment in mature and 2-year-old ewes. Change in body weight during treatment was not significantly correlated with lamb production.