Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-skm99 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-30T01:33:19.635Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effect of rebreeding on lamb production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. A. Sharafeldin
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cairo
M. T. Ragab
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cairo
I. A. Ramadan
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Cairo

Summary

This experiment was carried out in a newly reclaimed desert area south-west of Alexandria. The purpose was to study the effect of breeding Barki ewes more than once per year on body weights and mortality rates of their lambs. Lambs were weighed 24 h after birth and at the ages of 1, 2, 2·5 (weaning age), 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 months.

The experiment comprised three groups of single-born lambs of both sexes. The first group included 385 lambs born (in October–November) to ewes lambing once per year; tho second group comprised 155 lambs born (in January–February) to ewes lambing twice in twelve months and the third comprised 102 lambs also born in January–February to ewes lambing thrice in two consecutive years.

Lambs born to ewes lambing once were heavier from the age of 1 month to the age of 5 months than lambs born to ewes lambing twice in the same year or three times in two consecutive years. However, the three groups of lambs did not significantly differ in their body weights from 5 to 12 months of age.

Rebreedi ng did not significantly affect the mortality rate of lambs at the three studied ago periods, i.e. from birth to 1 month of age, from 1 month to weaning and from weaning to the age of 12 months.

Sex had a significant effect on body weights of lambs but did not affect their mortality rates.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1968

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Asker, A. A., Ragab, M. T. & Kadi, M. R. (1952). The influence of some environmental factors affecting weight of Ossimi and Rahmani sheep. Bull. Fac. Agr. Fouad I, Univ. no. 19, 125.Google Scholar
Bigatte, J. (1963). Twice yearly with early weaning of lambs. Revue Élev. 18, 893–6. (A.B.A. 32, 289).Google Scholar
Bonsma, F. M. (1939). Factors influencing the growth and development of lambs with special reference to crossbreeding of Merino sheep for fat lamb production. Publs Univ. Pretoria, Series 1: Agriculture, no. 48.Google Scholar
Hazel, L. N. & Terril, C. E. (1945). Effect of some environmental factors on weaning traits of range Rambouillet lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 4, 331–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Karam, H. A. (1959). Birth, weaning, and yearling weights of Rahmani sheep. I. Effect of some environmental factors. II. Heritability estimates and correlations. Emp. J. exp. Agric. 27, 313–23.Google Scholar
Karam, H. A., Chapman, A. B. & Pope, A. L. (1949). Genetic and environmental factors affecting daily gain, type and condition of lambs under farm flock condition. Alex. J. agric. Res. 7, 4352.Google Scholar
Mason, I. L. (1957). A World Dictionary of Breeds, Types and Varieties of Livestock, C.A.B., Farnham House, Farnham Royal, Slough, Bucks, England. (Suppl.)Google Scholar
Morrison, F. B. (1959). Feeds and Feeding. Clinton, Iowa: The Morrison Publishing Co.Google Scholar
Selen, S. B. & Banky, E. C. (1961). Wool and body growth in lambs during the first 14 months of life. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 41, 7888.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sidwell, G. M. & Grandstaff, J. O. (1949). Size of lambing at weaning as a permanent characteristic of Navago ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 8, 373–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snedecor, G. W. (1961). Statistical Methods, 5th edn. Ames: Iowa State College Press.Google Scholar