4th Weighing

The lambs (n=60) were weighed for the 4th time since they arrived on April 26. Gains were similar to the previous two week period. From June 7 through June 21, lambs gained between 0.2 and 11. 2 lbs. and averaged 6.6 ± 2.4 lbs. in gain. One lamb lost weight (1.2 lbs). The median gain was 6.6 lbs.

Average daily gain (ADG) ranged from -0.086 to 0.800 lbs. per day and averaged 0.470 ± 0.173 lbs. The median ADG was 0.471 lbs. For the 4th weight period, the ram lambs (n=19) had the highest ADG: 0.533 ± 0.151 lbs. Their median ADG was 0.543 lbs. ADG ranged from 0.243 to 0.800 lbs. per day for the ram lambs. No ram lambs lost weight.

Pam Thomas records weights

The wethers (n=24) had the lowest ADG: 0.423 ± 0.146. Their median ADG was 0.436. ADG ranged from 0.014 to 0.586 lbs. for the wethers.  No wethers lost weight. The short scrotum lambs were intermediate in performance. Their ADG ranged from 0.143 to 0.729 lbs. and averaged 0.466 ± 0.214 lbs. Their median ADG was  0.500 lbs. One short scrotum lamb lost weight (1.2 lbs).

So far (56 days), gain has ranged from 17.0 to 40.2 lbs. and averaged 30.1 ± 5.3 lbs. The median gain is 30.6 lbs.  ADG has ranged from 0.304 to 0.718 lbs. per day and averaged 0.538 ± 0.094 lbs. The median ADG is 0.546 lbs. per day. No lamb has lost weight during the 56-day period.

The short scrotum rams have the highest ADG for the first 56 days:  0.556  ± 0.076. The wethers have the lowest ADG: 0.518  ± 0.102 lbs. per day. The ram lambs are intermediate at 0.546 ± 0.099.

It is not known if any of the performance differences observed between the ram, wether, and short-scrotum lambs, so far,  is statistically significant (different).

Sex	No.	ADG -4th period	56 d ADG
Ram	19	0.533 ± 0.151	0.546 ± 0.099
Wether	24	0.466 ± 0.214	0.518  ± 0.102
Short scrotum	17	0.423 ± 0.146	0.556  ± 0.076
ALL	60	0.470 ± 0.173	0.538 ± 0.094

After weighing, the lambs were moved back to the silvopasture (cool season perennial grasses). This pasture has been rested for approximately a month. In addition to the pasture, the  lambs have been consuming 2 lbs. per day of a balanced grain mixture (whole barley + soybean meal + minerals). 

Depending upon weather, the field of dwarf pearl millet will be ready for grazing in another week or so. It will provide another clean pasture for grazing.

Going back to the silvopasture

None the lambs required deworming today. Most of the lambs had FAMACHA©  scores of 1 or 2. There were a few FAMACHA©  score 3's.