Growth features and survivability of lambs when keeping them with their ewes and separately

Abstract

The research goal was to investigate the growth rate and survivability of lambs during preweaning period under different management techniques on pasture. Two groups of 45- and 50-day-old lambs were formed: the control group (n = 128) in which the lambs were grazing together with the animals of similar breed, age and productivity; and the trial group (n = 100) in which the lambs were kept separately from their mothers. It was found that by weaning, ewe lambs kept on pasture under the separate-contact technique reached greater live weight - by 1.25 kg; and ram lambs - by 1.29 kg or 5.76 and 5.40% (P > 0.99) than the young animals kept under the conventional technique. At weaning, the survival rate in the groups of lambs was almost equal, but among the lambs of the improved management technique, the mortality was slightly higher in the period from birth to 45-50 days of age; and among the lambs of the conventional technique (lambs and ewes together) - from 45-50 to 120 days of age. In general, by weaning, the survival rate of lambs under the improved technology was by 0.7 absolute percent higher. The implementation of this technique on commercial farms in combination with other progressive and efficient techniques will significantly increase the volumes of mutton produced, improve the welfare of sheep and ensure more profitable management of sheep farms. Different techniques of ewe and lamb management during grazing on pasture had a multifaceted effect on the growth and survival of young animals. It seems more effective to separate grazing of ewes and lambs which allows the offspring to develop a better digestive system and more intensive metabolism, ensuring more intensive growth and greater survivability of the lambs by the age of weaning.