Abstract
This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of body condition scores (BCS) and Sex of lamb on Awassi ewes milk production, composition and lambs growth. The experiment conducted at one of the Awassi sheep breeders in Baibokht area (8km north of Mosul city ) for three months. Ewes were fed concentrate 500g/ewe/day, 60% barley, 38% wheat bran, 1% salt and 1% limestone, with grazing. ewes were divided in to three groups. First group body condition score (BCS 2), the second group (BCS 3) and the third group (BCS 4). The results revealed BCS3 had a significant effect (P<0.05) on weekly milk yield, total milk yield, fat percentage and lambs weight at different ages and no significant effects of BCS on milk Lactose, Protein, total solid and solid non-fat percentage. Sex of lamb had a significant effect (P<0.05) on weekly milk yield and total milk yield and lambs weight from birth until weaning. And no significant effects on milk composition. In general this means that BCS led to significant improvement in the studied traits for behalf highly BCS compared to low. Male lambs had a significant effect on ewes milk yield and lambs weight.
Highlights
In Iraq, sheep are bred basically for meat, milk and wool [1]
Body condition score (BCS) were measured for all ewes [13], and divided them into three groups based on the degree of the body condition: BCS2 (n=14 ), BCS3 (n=19) and BCS4 (n=17)
Daily and total milk production were significantly greater(P
Summary
In Iraq, sheep are bred basically for meat, milk and wool [1]. The animal productivity depends on the percentage of animals that are able to produce among the flock. This study was designed to determine the effect of (BCS) and sex of lamb on milk production, composition and Lambs growth until weaning in the Awassi ewes.
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