Influence of weaning time and feeding conditions on the growth and development of lambs
Abstract
The article presents the results of a comprehensive study on the influence of weaning age and feeding conditions on the formation of the productive potential of young Prekos sheep under traditional sheep-farming technology. The aim of the work was to investigate the dynamics of the formation and the degree of realization of the productive potential of young sheep with the improvement of the system of growing and feeding. The research was carried out in two scientific and economic experiments: with three options for the duration of the suckling period (45, 60 and 90 days) and by comparing two systems for raising lambs from 90 days of age (at weaning) to 365 days of age. To increase the efficiency of feeding, an improved design of the feed table with a movable limiter was used. It was found that lambs weaned at 90 days had a 2.1 times greater mass compared to those weaned at 45 days. However, by the age of one year the difference between the groups decreased, which indicates the compensatory ability of young animals provided that they were properly fed after weaning. The average live weight of lambs (by the age of one year) weaned at 45 days was 34.20±1.42 kg, at 60 days – 36.90±0.97 kg, and at 90 days – 43.88±1.20 kg. Overall, lambs weaned at 60 and 90 days surpassed those with a 45-day suckling period in live weight at all growth stages. The strongest influence of the growing and feeding system during the suckling period was revealed for live weight at 365 days (ηx² = 44.1%) and for average daily gains in the post-weaning period (ηx² = 30.2%). It was also found that early weaning caused higher growth tension, whereas later weaning contributed to more uniform development of lambs. It has been demonstrated that optimizing the structural elements of the feeder table ensures more efficient feed access for young animals and increases the effectiveness of resource-saving management technologies. The data obtained can be used to improve the system of raising and feeding lambs, taking into account age, production goals, and the economic feasibility of reducing the suckling period.
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