The effect of time of weaning on the biological efficiency of meat production in sheep

Abstract

SummaryThe value of E, defined as the weight of carcass produced per 100 units of digestible organic matter (DOM) consumed, was used to assess the biological efficiency of meat production in housed sheep. The effect on E of weaning lambs at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 weeks post partum was studied for a number of different breed crosses. The age at which lambs were weaned was found to have little effect on the growth rate of lambs and no significant effect on the biological efficiency with which sheep produce meat.