An investigation into the effects of different housing and feeding systems on behaviour and milk production of dairy ewes in mid and late stages of lactation : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
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Date
2018
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Massey University
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Abstract
Comparisons of different New Zealand dairy sheep farm systems are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different management systems on the behaviour and milk production of East Friesian cross-bred sheep at different stages of lactation. Two study groups were evaluated. In study group 1, a mob of 479 mixed-age, mid-lactation ewes were housed 24 h/day, and a separate mob of 473 mixed-age, mid-lactation ewes were managed in a hybrid system (housed between morning and afternoon milkings; grazed lucerne overnight). Both received a total mixed ration (TMR) indoors. In study group 2, a mob of 604 mixed-age, late-lactation ewes grazed pasture 24 h/day, and a separate mob of 452 mixed-age late-lactation ewes were in a hybrid system, grazing pasture overnight. For both study groups, individual milk yield, walking distance, lying time, ambient temperature, live weight, and body condition score (BCS) were recorded.--Shortened abstract
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The following have been removed for copyright reasons, but may be accessed via their source listed in the references:
Figures 1.1 p. 9 (=Fig 2, p. 2715), 1.2 p. 10 (=Fig A p. 86), 1.3 p. 15 (=Fig 2 p. 261), 1.4 p. 16 (=Fig 2 BCS p. 36), 1.6 p. 18 (=Fig 1 p. 1303), 1.10 p. 28 (=Fig 2 p. 1859) & Table 1.2 p. 11 (=Table 3 p. 1304).
Keywords
Sheep, Milk yield, Case studies, Behavior, Ewes, Feeding and feeds, Housing, Lactation