Lactation curve, milk production of Pelibuey ewes and preweaning growth rate of the lambs

Abstract
Objective: To estimate the lactation curve and milk production of Pelibuey ewes andthe relationship with preweaning growth rate of the lambs.Design/methodology/approach: Forty five Pelibuey ewes were milked during 70days in Montecillo, México, in 2018, to estimate daily and total milk production. Thelactation curve was fitted with the incomplete gamma function. In addition, the effectsof type of birth and ewe weight at milking on milk production were analyzed, andcorrelations were calculated between ewe milk production and growth rate of thelambs, per week and for the entire lactation Results: A “typical” lactation curve was found, average ewe milk production for theentire lactation, weighted for the number of lambs suckling, was 131±8 L, with444±24 g d -1 . Ewe weight at milking had an effect (p<0.01) on milk production.Positive correlations were found (p<0.05) between ewe milk production andpreweaning growth rate of the lambs.Limitations on study/implications: There is a strong dependency of the lambs forthe milk production of the Pelibuey ewe, a factor of great relevance so that lambs cangain body weight and survive during lactation.Findings/conclusions: Pelibuey ewes produce less milk than dairy ewes. Therefore,lambs should be weaned at a maximum of 10 weeks of lactation.