The relative pasture intake of grazing lambs at two levels of milk intake

Abstract

The faecal output of grazing lambs at two levels of milk intake was compared from 14 to 63 days of age. The milk intake of the High milk lambs was progressively reduced from a mean of 346 grams organic matter per day to 200 grams. Corresponding intakes for the Low milk lambs were 180 and 100 grams per day. The faecal output (after correction for 'milk' faeces) of the High milk lambs increased from a mean of 2 grams organic matter per 5 days to 456 grams while the Low milk lambs excreted 12 to 570 grams per 5 days. On the basis of the difference in faecal output, the Low milk lambs commenced to graze at an earlier age and consumed more pasture than the High milk lambs.