Effects of corn or corn by-products fed as a pre-breeding supplement on body weight and pregnancy in Rambouillet ewes

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of corn and dried distiller’s grain fed as a prebreeding flushing supplement on weight gain and body condition, breeding and subsequent lambing rate, and early postnatal growth of Rambouillet ewes. Treatment groups consisted of 1 control group (n=30) that was not fed a supplement, 1 group (n=30) that was fed a corn based ration, and 1 group (n=30) that was fed a dried distiller’s grain based ration. After the feeding period concluded, lamb data was collected to determine what, if any, change occurred. No differences (p < 0.05) were detected in body weight over time or on the number of ewes that conceived. However, significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in body condition score, number of lambs born, and 30 and 60 day weights of lambs. While flushing supplementation slowed down weight loss, there was no significant difference detected in reproductive efficiency.

Description

Keywords

corn, corn by-products, flushing, sheep

Citation