Producción láctea en ovejas de raza merina durante la fase de amamantamiento

Abstract

This is a study of quantity of milk produced by 100 Spanish Merino sheep at the 8 week suckling period, recording this production by. the "suckling and weightinT testu with a weekly period and 12 hour control. The measured milk quantitie recorded in sheep were 53.39 + 1.84, 51.35+ 3.37 and 72.23 + 2.19 Kg, respectivay in the 3 year period that the observation lasted, with a maximum in the milk production at the third week of lactation. An analysis of various influencing factors on milk production is made with a significant statistic difference as to the birth weights of the lambs and of the ewes at parturition, as well as their dietary plan. No significant differenc.e.s were found due to sex of the lambs or age of the ewes at parturition.

Se estudia la cantidad de leche producida por 100 ovejas de raza merina española a lo largo de la fase de amamantamiento (8 semanas) y se registra dicha producción por el método de "dobles pesadas", con una periodicidad semanal y con controles de 12 horas de duración. Las cantidades medias de leche en las ovejas sometidas a control son de 53"39+ 1"84, 51"35 + 3"37 y 72"23 + 2"91 kg, en los tres años que duró la experiencia, respectivamente. La producción máxima aparece en la 31 semana.