Relationship between birth weight and body growth characteristics of lambs

J. Stojkovic,Z. Ilic,M.M. Petrovic,V.C. Petrovic,M.P. Petrovic,N. Maksimovic,D. Ruzic-Muslic

doi:10.2298/bah1402193p

Abstract

Research was carried out in population of R2 generation Pirot pramenka x Pirot improved sheep during period of three years. Lambs were divided into three groups: I from 2.5 kg to 3.5 kg; II from 3.6 kg to 4.5 kg; III from 4.6 kg to 5.5 kg. Weight of lambs was controlled at birth, with 30, 60 and 90 days of age. Average body weight at birth of the tested lambs was 3.35 kg in the first group, 4.30 kg in the second group and 5.06 kg in the third group. At 30 days of age, the body weight of the lambs was 10.19 kg in the first group, 11.39 kg in the second and 12.49 kg in the third group. All these differences in body weight of lambs at birth were statistically highly significant (P_ 0.01). With 60 days of age, average body weight was 16.48 kg in the first group, 19.01 kg in the second and 20.49 kg in the third group. Differences between groups of lambs at this age were statistically very significant (P_0.01).On the end of experiment at 90 days of lambs age, we have found the following values of the body weight of lambs: 26.35 kg in the first group, when the second 30.49 kg and 28.93 kg in the third group. Differences between groups of lambs at this age were statistically very significant (P_0.01). At the age of 90 days maximum weight of the body was in the second group of lambs, or a group which body weight at birth occupied the mean of the population. Correlations between body weights of lambs vary from weak to midsized values. The highest values of correlation coefficients were found between body weight at birth and weight of lambs at 30 days of age.

Highlights

Body weight of lambs at birth has an important role in achieving a good sheep production
In addition to the number of lambs which is obtained by sheep, body weight of lambs at birth plays an important role as an initial power factor for the later development of the young organism (Petrović et al, 2009; Riggio et al, 2008)
The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of birth weight of crossbred lambs on growth during fattening period of 90 days

Summary

Introduction

Body weight of lambs at birth has an important role in achieving a good sheep production. An understanding of the factors which influence the development and growth of lambs will permit changes in the breeding and management schemes to minimize influences, which reduce production efficiency (Bermejo et al, 2010). In addition to the number of lambs which is obtained by sheep, body weight of lambs at birth plays an important role as an initial power factor for the later development of the young organism (Petrović et al, 2009; Riggio et al, 2008). Body weight at birth affect the vitality and mortality of lambs during development (Morris et al, 2000; Cloete et al, 2001; Berhane and Arendonk, 2006; Vatankhah and Taleb, 2009).

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Conclusion