The objective of this trial was to study the performance of ewes and lambs as well as the characteristics of carcass of lambs in different feeding systems. Eighteen lambs, 24 hours after birth, were randomly assigned with their mothers to one of the following treatments: RP - ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture; FNCP - feedlot with no creep feeding; and FCP - feedlot with creep feeding. The ryegrass pasture was managed in order to not limit the dry matter intake of the grazing animals with an average supply of 12 kg of dry matter per 100 kg of live weight. Animals on FNCP treatment received a diet containing 50% of sorghum silage + 50% of concentrate [11.5% crude protein (CP) and 64.4% of total digestible nutrients (TDN). Animals on FCP treatment received a diet containing 50% of sorghum silage + 25% of concentrate (8.2% CP and 60.6% TDN) and after they reached 21 days of age were fed an amount of concentrate (18% CP and 70% TDN) equal to 3% of the live weight. Average daily weight gains of 300 g/day and hot carcass yield greater than 51% were obtained by nursing lambs on either ryegrass pasture or feedlots. Data from the present trial showed no significant differences among treatments in production and carcass characteristics of lambs slaughtered with 28 kg of live weight.
creep feeding; ryegrass; performance; confinement
