A note on the voluntary feed intake of lactating ewes, their milk yield and the growth rate of their lambs

Abstract

SUMMARYVoluntary hay intake and milk yield were measured in 11 singlesuckling and 4 twin-suckling ewes for the first seven weeks of lactation. There was no significant difference between the intakes of the two classes of ewe and milk yield differed only in the seventh week. Variations in milk yield and live-weight change were significantly associated with variations in voluntary intake. Lamb weight gain was correlated with milk yield and voluntary intake of the dam.