The post-natal growth of the visceral organs of the lamb Part II. The effect of diet on growth rate, with particular reference to the parts of the alimentary tract

Abstract

1. A study was made of the effects of diet on the growth of the internal organs, and in particular the four stomachs of lambs.2. A total of twenty-three lambs was reared from birth on various diets ranging from all milk to small amounts of milk and roughagead lib.The lambs were slaughtered at various ages and the fresh wet weights of the parts of the alimentary tract and the other internal organs were recorded.3. The growth rates of the four stomachs were influenced by the plane of nutrition, however, the type rather than the plane of nutrition was more important in determining the weights of the stomachs relative to each other and to live weight.4. Lambs fed solely milk from birth had the development of their fore-stomachs retarded at about the level found in the 3-week-old grazing lamb. The abomasums of these lambs were abnormally heavy.5. The rumens and reticulums, which were retarded in their growth by milk feeding, reached normal proportions very quickly once roughage was fed.