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Crossbreeding and the effect of certain environmental factors on body weights of Barki and German Merino sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. H. El Kouni
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, University of Alexandria, Egypt
H. A. Karam
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, University of Alexandria, Egypt
E. S. E. Galal
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, University of Alexandria, Egypt
E. A. Afifi
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production, University of Alexandria, Egypt

Summary

Body weights at birth, weaning, yearling and 2 years of age were studied on 710 lambs born from 1956 to 1967 and representing Barki, Merino and their F1 and backcross. Body weights ofthe lambs of the two cross-bred groups were intermediate between those of the two pure-breds at birth and exceeded them at weaning. Merino lambs were 0·61 kg heavier than Barki lambs at birth and maintained that advantage throughout the study.

Age of dam, type of birth, sex, and year of birth were significant sources of variation on the weights studied. The effect of age of dam and type of birth declined after weaning while that of sex increased.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1974

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