NZSAP 2004 Abstract No. 45
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 64: 188-191
NZSAP 2004 Abstract No. 45
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 64: 188-191
East Friesian Coopworth (EFCoop) ewes maintained body condition between pregnancy scanning andlambing whereas Coopworth ewes lost body condition (-0.35 CS). Plasma Beta-hydroxybutyrate (Beta-OHB) was significantly higher in Coopworth ewes prior to lambing. Coopworth and EFCoop ewes with triplet litters had elevated levels ofplasma Beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration compared to ewes with twins (0.70 ± 0.03 vs 0.49 ± 002, P<0.0001).
Coopworth ewes had higher triplet litter survival rates to tagging (0.86 ± 0.03) compared with EFCoop ewes (0.68 ± 0.05) (P<0.001). The maternal behaviour score (MBS) of ewes was determined within 24 hours of birth on the basis of their response to the shepherd tagging their lambs on a 5-point scale from 1 (ewe leaves litter and does not return) to 5 (ewe remains within 1m of her litter). The maternal behaviour score (MBS) was higher in Coopworth ewes (3.6 ± 0.04) than the EFCoop ewes (3.4 ± 0.07) and increased with litter size but remained constant for EFCoop ewes regardless of litter size.
The results of this study suggest that ewes that maintain condition in late pregnancy provide a more suitable maternal environment to support their litters. This is increasingly important for triplet litters. This study shows that a ewe that has slightly higher plasma Beta-hydroxybutyrate levels, is not as receptive to the demands of her litter and is sensitive to human interference as indicated by lower MBS.
Keywords: NZSAPAB; litter survival; maternal behaviour score; Beta-hydroxybutyrate; nutrition
