Effect of post-weaning level of nutrition on the early reproductive performance and productivity indices of Menz sheep

Weaner ewe lambs (92 + 4 days, SD) of the Ethiopian Menz breed (n=115) were used to assess the impact of level of nutrition before and after first lambing on subsequent productivity. Lambs were raised either on pasture grazing only (P) or grazing with low (L), medium (M) or high (H) levels of a concentrate supplement containing 125 g/kg DM digestible protein and 25 Mcal/kg DM. Postweaning mortality was 13.9 percent being substantially higher for P animals (33 percent) than better fed counterparts (7 percent). Lamb weaning weight was affected by lambing season (P<0.01) and ewe postpartum level of nutrition (P