Influence of Region on Some Reproductive Parameters in Ouled Djellal Sheep

Abstract

The present study aims to assess the reproductive performance of Ouled Djellal ewes at four different Biskra locations: El Hadjeb, SidiOkba, Ouled Djellal, and Chaiba. All flocks were kept under extensive management. For this study, 357 clinically healthy and non-pregnant Ouled Djellal ewes have been used. Mating was practiced in an accessible mode, conducted over two months: May and June 2015 (61 days) for all herds.  The total number of lambing ewes and lambs in all flocks was determined during the lambing period. We compared fertility, fecundity, and prolificacy rates using the χ2 test to verify the relationshipbetween the measured rates and the four sites and multiple comparisons that revealed significant differences. The variables assessed in this study encompassed fecundity, prolificacy, and fertility. The overall mean values obtained were 78% for fecundity, 117% for prolificacy, and 92% for fertility. These averages were significantly lower than those observed in intensively managed herds.  However, the lowest rates were recorded at site 4 (Chaiba), with65% for fertility, 109% for prolificacy, and 71% for fecundity. The results of this study clearly show that the region has a significant effect on fertility (P= 0.001) and fecundity (P= 0.0001) but no significant effect on the prolificacy rate (P= 0.074).