Fertility in Scottish Blackface ewes as influenced by nutrition and body condition at mating

Abstract

SUMMARYTwo-hundred-and-seventy-three Scottish Blackface ewes in three ages (5, 4 and 2 years) were differentially group fed over 6 weeks in such a manner that at 6 weeks before mating there were approximately equal numbers in each of six subjectively assessed body condition groups ranging from score 1 (lean) to score 3½ (moderately fat). Over the 6 weeks prior to mating these groups were either well fed, fed at about maintenance, or underfed so that at mating the maj ority of ewes were in either condition 1½ or 3.A predetermined random sample of mature ewes from each of the six original condition groups was killed 2–3 days post-mating for ovulation counts. Surviving ewes were fed above maintenance post-mating and the number of lambs recorded at birth. Condition at mating had a significant, positive effect on both ovulation and lambing rates but had no effect on infertility measured as the difference between them.The level of food intake prior to and at mating had no effect on either ovulation or lambing rates of moderately fat ewes (condition 3) but the results can be interpreted as indicating that the level of food intake had a positive effect on both ovulation and lambing rates of lean ewes (condition 1½).