Effect of Diet on Milk Yield of the Ewe and Growth of her Lamb

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Abstract
Ewes (Cheviot) were carried on high or low planes of nutrition during the latter half of pregnancy. After parturition, 4 groups were formed: (1) high-plane ewes suckling their own lambs, (2) high-place ewes suckling lambs born to low-plane ewes, (3) low-plane ewes suckling their own lambs, and (4) low-plane ewes suckling lambs from high-plane ewes. All twins-used were suckled as singles. High-plane ewes averaged 20 gal. milk production during a 13-wk. lactation as compared to 11 gal. for low-plane ewes. Raising the place of nutrition after lambing did not appear to increase the milk supply quickly enough to benefit the lambs. Lambs transferred from low-plane to high-plane mothers at birth took advantage of the increased milk supply, but were still smaller at weaning than those born to and suckled by high-plane ewes. Lambs transferred from high to low-plane ewes at birth showed a high mortality. Level of nutrition during late pregnancy apparently affects greatly both the vitality of the newborn lamb and the milk supply of the ewe.

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