Supplementation for Wintering Range Ewe Lambs: Effect on Growth and Estrus as Ewe Lambs

Abstract
Hulet, Wiggins and Ercanbrack (1969) have shown that about 12% of the range ewe lambs came into estrus their first winter, and that ewe lambs exhibiting estrus had higher lifetime production than did ewe lambs that failed to come into estrus. Bowstead (1930), Briggs (1936) and Longrigg (1961) have shown that ewes bred as lambs have a higher lifetime production than those bred at 18 months of age. If early estrus is associated with increased lifetime lamb production then any management practice that would increase the number of range ewe lambs in estrus could provide an additional tool for the selection of replacement ewes or for breeding as lambs rather than yearlings. The objective of this study was to determine if supplemental feeding of range ewe lambs after weaning results in an increased number of ewe lambs coming into estrus their first winter and the relationship between supplemental feeding and growth rate of the lambs from weaning to 18 months of age. Copyright © 1971. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1971 by American Society of Animal Science.

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