Refeeding ewe’s ad libitum after energy restriction during mid-pregnancy does not affect lamb feed conversion ratio, animal performance and meat quality

Publication date: Available online 15 October 2019Source: Small Ruminant ResearchAuthor(s): Santiago Luzardo, Guillermo de Souza, Graciela Quintans, Georgett BancheroAbstractThe aim of the study was to evaluate maternal energy restriction in ewes from day 48 to 106 of gestation on pre- and post-weaning lambs` performance, carcass and meat quality when their dams were fed ad libitum after the restriction period. Ewes bearing single or twin lambs were assigned to two dietary treatments from day 48 to day 106 of gestation: restricted (R) at 60% of their metabolizable energy (ME) requirements, or non-restricted (NR) at 100% of their ME requirements. After the restriction period ewes grazed all together ad libitum until weaning. Subsequently, male lambs were placed in a feedlot until slaughter. Ewes body weight was recorded during nutritional treatment application and at weaning. Litter size and lamb sex were recorded, and feed intake and body weight were measured from birth until slaughter. After slaughter, carcass weight and yield, subcutaneous tissue depth (GR site), carcass (CL) and leg length (LL), frenched rack (FR) and leg weights were determined. After 5 days of meat aging, color parameters and Warner-Bratzler shear force were determined on longissimus lumborum muscle. Non-restricted ewes weighed 7.5 kg more than R ewes (P <  0.05) at the end of the restriction period. Lamb birth weight (BW) was no affected (P >  0.05) by dams’ treatment although male and s...

Source: Small Ruminant Research - October 16, 2019 Category: Zoology Source Type: research