Relationships between Live Weight and Body Condition in Heavy and Light Rembi Ewes under Common Feeding Conditions

The purpose of this study was to investigate live weight (LW) and body condition (BC) variation in two lines of Rembi sheep reared in extensive and semi-intensive alimentary management. The heavy ewes of the first group were fed with 800g per head/day during winter and spring months. However, the light ewes of the second group received, in winter season, a survival diet regimen consisted of 300g of barley grain and 500g of barley straw per head/day. In spring months, light ewes were grazing on fallow, without any food supplement. Results showed a high significant difference in LW and BC between both groups at beginning of trials. Hence, variations of the studied parameters during all the 20 weeks postpartum (PP) were moderate and almost all the initial LW was recovered in the late experiment period. Light and heavy ewes, under extensive and semi-intensive feeding mode, respectively, followed the same general LW and BC change pattern. In particular, the light ewes showed a high ability to overcome the undernourishment, sustained for a long time. Thus, Rembi sheep showed an important adaptability to the undernourishment conditions and high and rapid recovery in LW and BC.