Productive performance of ewes in a silvopastoral system

Abstract

In order to study the performance of productive indicators of Pelibuey ewes in a silvopastoral system, a study
was conducted with 44 ewes at the Experimental Station “Indio Hatuey”. The animals received Guinea grass
and leucaena forage throughout the period, with a supply of 1 and 2 kg/animal/day, respectively; in the mating
stage they received citrus pulp at a rate of 0,350 kg/animal/day and during the last third of pregnancy and the
first 30 days postpartum concentrate was supplied (0,04 kg/animal/day). The body condition and live weight of
the ewes were determined during the mating stage, parturition and 30 days postpartum. In addition, the
influence of parturition type (single and double) on the weight of the lambs at birth and 30 days after being
born, and on the mean daily gain, was analyzed. Significant differences were found (p<0,05) in live weight (31,4;
32,9 and 30,5 kg) and body condition (3,7; 3,5 and 3,0); while in the indicator hematocrit no significant differences
were found. The parturition type had effect on the weight at birth, mdg and weight 30 days postpartum, with
significant differences (p<0,05). The weight at birth was 3,23 and 2,66 kg and after 30 days it was 7,82 and 5,47
kg; while the mdg was 150 and 94 g for single and double parturitions, respectively. Sheep management in the
silvopastoral system was concluded to allow favorable indicators in lamb growth and ewes during the stages
of mating, parturition and 30 days postpartum.