The objective of this experiment was to verify the effect of weaning age and ewe supplementation on the production of super-young lambs and on the reproductive cycle of dams. Sixty-six Hampshire Down ewes, ranging between 3 and 4 years of age, were kept with their lambs on grass pasture. All lambs were creep fed. The ewes were either supplemented (n=34) or not (n=32) during lactation. The lambs were randomly allocated to four treatments: T1 - weaned from supplemented dams at 34 days of age (n=16); T2 - weaned from supplemented dams at 62 days (n=18); T3 - weaned from not supplemented dams at 34 days (n=16); T4 - weaned from not supplemented dams at 62 days (n=16). A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement was used in a randomized block design. Lambs from T2 and T4 showed higher weight gains than those weaned at days 34 (T1 and T3). Weight at day 62 was higher and slaughter age lower in lambs weaned from not supplemented mothers. Carcass yield and compactness index were higher in the lambs weaned at day 62. Dam supplementation increased meat tenderness. No difference was observed in backfat thickness. No difference was observed in weight dams at weaning, but difference between body weight of dam at parturition and at weaning weight was observed. Neither dam supplementation nor lamb weaning age showed any effect on dam reproductive efficiency.
super young lambs; weaning; sheep; reproduction
