The effects of undernutrition and re-alimentation on the Romney ewe

A study of the effects of live-weight loss and recovery on the physical and chemical composition of 4- and 5-year-old Romney ewes is described. Six treatment groups each of eight ewes were involved. The diet consisted of chaffed lucerne alfalfa) hay. The treatment groups were: (i) control (C); (ii) low plane of nutrition for 21 days (LPS); (iii) as for (ii) then changed to a high plane LPS: HP); (iv) low plane of nutrition for 42 days (LPL) (v) as for (iv) then changed to high plane for a short period (LPL:HPS); and (vi) as for (iv) then changed to high plane for a long period (LPL:HPL). Because of mortalities in the LPL:HPS and LPL:HPL groups, data on the carcasses and internal organs of the animals surviving to slaughter date in these treatments were not statistically analysed.