Performance and behavior of the progeny of ewes fed with different sources and energy feed

This study aimed to investigate the effects of increased dietary energy intake and different feeds (starch, calcium salts of palm oil, and chromium propionate) in the nutrition of ewes, at gestation and lactation, evaluating the effects on the progeny. Seventy-two Dorper x Santa Ines ewes were allocated in a completely randomized block design, in five treatments. CTL (n=14) with 100% of predicted ME requirement, LOW (n=14) with 90% of predicted ME requirement, ST (n=15) with 110% of predicted ME requirement, and the energy source was starch, ST+Cr (n=15) treatment ST more chromium propionate, and ST+PF (n=14) treatment ST more calcium salts of palm oil. The data were evaluated by the Tukey test, at 5% significance, and behavior analyses by Kruskal-Wallis at 10% significance. Energy levels influenced ewes to body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and Famacha (R) score before and after lambing and during lactation, being that the use of calcium salts of palm oil had greater benefits. Although the dam's diet did not influence the offspring's weight gain, body measurements, BCS, and Famacha (R) at 260 days old. ST+Cr produced heavier offspring. A lower energy diet negatively influenced the degree of Famacha (R) on ewes and offspring and mother-lamb behavior. This work showed that diets with 10% less metabolizable energy resulted in ewes with lower body weight and body condition scores during pregnancy and lactation, and the progeny had lower body condition weight. The type of feed affects maternal filial behavior and fetal programming.