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Influence of Sex and Type of Birth on Performance of Early Weaned Lambs¹

New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station, Las Cruces 88001

Abstract

Records of 438 crossbred farm lambs fed during three years were analyzed to determine the influence of sex and type of birth on feedlot performance of early weaned lambs. Among lambs weaned at an average age of 60 and 89 days, type of birth influenced weaning weight; lambs born as singles were heavier than twins, and twins were heavier than triplets. Male lambs were significantly (P.05) heavier at birth, but not at weaning at 2 or 3 months of age. No significant differences were found in feedlot performance or carcass characteristics of early-weaned lambs that could be attributed to sex or type of birth. Results of this study indicate that performance of lambs weaned at two or three months of age is comparable to that reported for lambs weaned at older ages. Male lambs and single lambs are heavier at birth, and single lambs will be heavier at weaning, but by the time the lambs are fed to slaughter condition, they do not differ in average daily gain or carcass weight.

¹ Journal Series No. 366 New Mexico Agricultural Experiment Station.

² Department of Animal, Range and Wildlife Sciences.