The survival of lambs in shelter declines at high stocking intensities
S. M. Robertson A B C D , B. J. King A B C , J. C. Broster A B C and M. A. Friend A B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
B EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation (NSW Department of Primary Industries and Charles Sturt University) Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
C Co-operative Research Centre for Future Farm Industries, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: surobertson@csu.edu.au
Animal Production Science 52(7) 497-501 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11261
Submitted: 27 October 2011 Accepted: 6 February 2012 Published: 29 May 2012
Abstract
This experiment evaluated the effect of stocking intensity at lambing on lamb survival. A randomised block design with three replicates compared stocking rates of 16 and 30 ewes/ha. Twin-bearing Merino ewes (n = 69) that had been mated with Poll Dorset × White Suffolk rams were placed in paddocks sheltered with rows of hessian, with 8 or 15 ewes per 0.5-ha plot for the low and high stocking rates, respectively. The survival of lambs born alive at the high stocking rate (63%) was 24% less (P = 0.002) than for those at the low stocking rate (83%), and was associated with a higher (P < 0.05) proportion of lambs dying from starvation, mismothering or exposure. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in lamb birthweight, marking weight, ewe liveweight or condition, suggesting nutritional conditions between the stocking rates were similar. The results suggest caution in using lambing strategies which require high stocking rates.
Additional keywords: management, nutrition, reproduction, sheep.
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