Data from: Lambs from ewes fed a poor-quality diet with realimentation exhibit increased incidence of hypothermia and divergent pre-weaning growth

Neonatal lamb performance after severe experimental nutrient restriction during gestation has been well studied; however, there is a gap in understanding of how practical nutrient restriction experienced over the course of a production cycle impacts lamb success. Therefore, the objective of the first study was to investigate early life performance in lambs from ewes fed a diet from 30-125 days of gestation (dGA) that simulates winter forage or one that meets all nutritional requirements for gestation.

Maternal BCS and weight losses were evident prior to the standard supplementation period suggesting impacts on the fetus could be happening due to nutrient restriction earlier in gestation. Lambs from dams who received the lower quality diet did not differ by bodyweight but were not able to thermoregulate as well as lambs whose dams had their requirements met during the first week and on specific weeks thereafter. Beginning at six weeks of life through weaning lambs from restricted dams had lower body weights compared to lambs from fully nourished dams.