EFFECT OF REARING SYSTEM ON GROWTH, BODY-COMPOSITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF DIGESTIVE-SYSTEM IN YOUNG LAMBS

In the present work the carcass composition and fatty acid composition of the fat deposits of young Colmenarena and Rubia del Molar male lam bs fed with natural milk and with commercial milk replacer were studie d. The daily gain during the late phase of feeding (15-30 days) was hi gher in the animals that were reared artificially than in those fed by their mothers (310 versus 245 g/day, p < 0.001). Carcass characterist ics and dissected shoulder tissues Mere nor markedly affected by dieta ry treatment. Lambs receiving sheep milk had higher concentration of C 15:0, C17:0 and total saturated fatty acids than groups receiving milk replacer (p=0.001). A higher rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum and s mall intestine development was also found in lambs fed by their mother s compared with those led milk replacers (p < 0.05). The results from this experiment suggest that lambs artificially reared have a lower ru men functionality and might be slaughtered at higher weights without a concomitant loss of: meat quality.