Effect of liveweight and teasing of ewe hoggets prior to breeding on lambing pattern and weight of singleton lambs

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of teasing on hogget lambing date, and to determine the effects of hogget live-weight at breeding and teasing on birthweights and growth rates of singleton lambs to weaning. Teasing resulted in a significantly (P < 0.001) earlier average lambing date without affecting either birth weight or lamb growth rates to weaning. This result suggests that the main benefit farmers can achieve from teasing hoggets prior to breeding is through an increase in the number of hoggets pregnant, rather than through an increase in lamb weaning weights due to earlier born lambs, as the affect on lamb weaning weight was only minor. Liveweight of hoggets pre-mating had a small, but significant (P < 0.001) positive effect on both birthweights and growth rates of singleton lambs to weaning. In addition, birth-weight had a small significant (P < 0.001) positive effect on lamb growth rate to weaning. These results indicate that to achieve heavier weaning weights of lambs born to hoggets, or to allow for the option of weaning earlier, farmers should ensure hoggets attain adequate liveweights pre-mating. This affect would be additive to the known positive effects of hogget breeding liveweight on reproductive performance.