Ewe Hoggs Research Articles

FEATURES OF WOOL QUALITIES AND FORMATION OF SKIN COVER OF YOUNG SHEEP OF THE SOUTH KAZAKH MERINO BREED IN ZHAMBYL REGION CONDITIONS

Until 2030, 17 key areas were selected, the implementation of which could potentially lead the country to the sustainable development of all major spheres of life and the solution of global problems affecting every person in this world. The article reflects and presents scientific research data, objective characteristics of wool qualities and age-related changes signs of the structure of the skin of young South Kazakh merino sheep, as well as studies of the morphological parameters of the skin tissue in the age aspect (from birth to 18 months), and an analysis of their connection with the commercial properties and quality of the semi-finished product obtained from sheep of this breed is given. Productive qualities were studied in a flock of sheep of the South Kazakh Merino breed in “Batay-Shu” LLP. Sheep have a high live weight, shearing and yield of pure wool; rams have a fairly high live weight for the breed; component depending on age from 100-106 kg, and high wool productivity both in physical weight and in washed fiber - 10.3-6.6 kg, with an average output of washed wool of 64.5% thickness, with corresponding development epidermis (0.97-1.3% of the total skin thickness), a well-developed pilar layer (up to 67.7% of the total skin thickness) and relatively weak development of the reticular layer (about 33% of the total skin thickness). The density of hair follicles per 1 mm2 at 18 months of age is 52-60 units, and the secondary follicles/ primary follicles ratio is 12.17-12.77. After weaning and up to 7.5 months, buck lambs experience a noticeable increase in skin within 200 μm. During the same period, a slight increase in skin tissue occurs in ewe hoggs.

An effective type of merino in the Volga region by the method of intrabreed selection

The article presents experimental data on the use of intrabreed selection in order to create the most effective productive type of sheep of the Stavropol fine-wool breed. In the zone of the dry steppe of the Volga region the sheep of the Stavropol breed were improved by the meat merino of the Australian selection. Scientific and experimental research was carried out in JSC “New Life” ofNovouzensky district of the Saratov region. The crossbreeds obtained during the step-by-step crossing of Stavropol sheep with tup-producers of Australian meat merino with 1/8-blood content according to AMM by eye-measuring the degree of severity of wool and meat productivity were distributed according to productive indicators (live weight, wool shearing) to the corresponding specific types of productivity. The first group — the uterus of the wool productive type; the second — wool-meat, the third — meat-wool. Each group of sheep was assigned to tuh of meat-wool productive type. The offspring were obtained according to the selection of parental pairs: father x mother. At birth, the M-W x M-W ewe hoggs had an advantage over the W x M-Wanimals in terms of live weight by 7.47%, and over the M-W x M-W — by 1.7%. After weaning at 4.5 months, the live weight of all young animals decreased slightly. In 13.5 months, the superiority of group III over group I and II was 9.3%, 4.6%. In terms of cutting physical wool, group II yarks outperformed group I and III by 1.91 and 3.45%, while their advantage in pure wool was 13.6 and 4.11%. The longest coat was characterized by the young animals of group I, the stronger coat was in the young animals of group III. In the structure of fine-wooled sheep of the Stavropol breed of the Volga population three productive types were distinguished, which differ from each other in terms of productive indicators: wool, wool-meat and meat-wool. At the same time sheep of the Stavropol breed, bred in the dry steppe of the Volga region, to a greater extent deviate towards the wool-meat productive type, such merinos of the combined direction in the conditions of the modern economic situation are most demanded and profitable.

ВЗАИМОСВЯЗЬ ИНТЕРЬЕРНЫХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ЯГНЯТ РАЗНЫХ ГЕНОТИПОВ С ИХ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬЮ

The aim of the research is increasing the productive indicators of replacement sheep of different genotypes by im-proving the interior indicators. To conduct the research, three groups of ewe hoggs with 20 heads each were formed: 1 group – ewe hoggs born from stud rams and Akzhaik ewes (AKSHM x AKSHM); 2 group – ewe hoggs born from stud rams of the North Caucasian breed and Akzhaik ewes (SK x AKSHM); 3 group – ewe hoggs born from Kuibyshev stud ram breed and Akzhaik ewes (KB x AKSHM). Blood parameters, live weight at the age of 4 and 8 months, hair cut at the age of 8 months was studied of animals of these groups. It was found that blood parame-ters of the ewe hoggs of different genotypes have significant differences and these affect the indicators of growth intensity and hair cutting. The content of red blood cells and hemoglobin of ewe hoggs from group 3 was higher by 0.551012/l and 9.32 g/l, respectively, than of ones from group 1. The biochemical blood parameters of crossbred ewe hoggs from groups 3 and 2 at 4 and 8 months of age in terms of total protein by 2.84 and 4.73 g/l, glucose – by 0.86 and 1.02 mmol/l exceeded the results of purebred Akzhaik ewe hoggs. Crossbreds of groups 2 and 3 in the 8-month age were superior to their herdmates of Akzhaik breed in live weight by 3.04 and 2.74 kg, and the washed wool cut – 
 by 0.18 and 0.24 kg, respectively.

Practical application of bioelectric research of biologically active centers for the assessment of sheep wool productivity

The intensification of sheep wool production requires development of new methods for assessing the quality of products based on the knowledge of the functional state of the body, life support mechanisms and the formation of products in the process of its synthesis. Such functional systems include a complex of superficially localized biologically active centers (SLBACs) of animals, which serve as sensory regulatory formations involved in providing compensatory adaptive reactions of the animal organism. The research was carried out on sheep of the North Caucasian breed and the North Caucasian and the Romanov cross-breeds (3/4 R x 1/4 NC). The aim of the research was to clarify the possibility of assessing the wool productivity of sheep of different breeds according to the level of the bioenergetic potential (LBP) of their superficially localized biologically active centers. The studies were carried out on sheep of the North Caucasian breed and their crossbreeds with the Romanov breed (3/4 R x 1/4 NC). The object of the research was 6- and 8-month-old ewe hoggs and adult purebred ewes of the North Caucasian breed at the age of 2 years old. It was found out that sheep of different breeds and ages have different LBP of the SLBACs, and the value of the biopotential can be used to assess the quantitative and qualitative properties of wool in the comparable units. Based on the established dependencies, a method for determining a sheep wool classing has been developed. This method eliminates the need to use complex laboratory equipment and reduces time for the wool research.

Morphological and reproductive characteristics of the Boutsko sheep of Epirus

A flock of 244 hill sheep of the indigenous Boutsko breed of Epirus (NW of Greece), 1-6 years old, kept under a transhumance system, was used to study their morphological and reproductive characteristics for a period of 14 months (March -June of next year). The results of the study could be summarized as follows: 1) The Boutsko sheep studied is a rather small indigenous hill breed (mature body weight of ewes=40,7±0,37 Kg and rams = 54,4±l,82 Kg) with hardness, longevity, early maturity and high adaptability to the harsh environmental conditions of being its most important characteristics. 2) The mating period begins relatively early (June) lasts until September, with ewes being mated first, followed by ewe hoggs and gimmers. 3) Pregnancy duration was 144,3 ±0,09 and 146,5± 0,07 days for the ewes bearing twin and single Iambs, respectively (P<0,001) and 144,0 and 145,9±0,12 days for the gimmers bearing twin and single lambs, respectively (P<0,05). Body condition score of animals at the end of pregnancy remained satisfactory (3.25 ±0,14). 4) Fertility of the animals was high. All females were mated and lambed. Lambing rate at birth and at weaning was 1,25 and 1,04, respectively.

Reproductive performance of scottish blackface gimmers trained to eat supplements as ewe hoggs and offered feedblocks during mating

Hill gimmers typically perform below the flock average and are reluctant to take supplementary feed. This paper reports an attempt to evaluate the effects in the first breeding season of training young flock replacements to eat supplementary feed in the form of either concentrate pellets or feedblocks.Four hundred and fifty-five ewe hoggs were allocated to two groups on return from away-wintering on 1 April. Untrained hoggs (U) were put to the hill immediately. The remainder were trained to feed (T) for one week before rejoining their contempories. Training and subsequent mating treatments are summarised in Table 1.

Influence of anthelmintic treatment on the liveweight of outwintered ewe hoggs.

Three systems of outwintering ewe hoggs are normally practised on Scottish hill farms. A series of field trials involving some 2000 different animals was conducted to determine the response in liveweight from anthelmintic treatment for roundworms. The results suggest that, under field conditions, a strategic dosing programme using a modern anthelmintic can prevent liveweight loss in ewe hoggs wintered either on the hill or "inbye". The best response may be expected from a two dose regime--one in early winter (mid October to mid November) and the other in winter (mid January to mid February). In away-wintered hoggs, the kinder climate, better pssture, and, in the vast majority of cases, less contaminated ground, appear to outweigh the advantages of dosing after the late autumn.

The away‐wintering of ewe Hoggs from Scottish hill farms

Abstract Most articles concerned the wintering of ewe hoggs1 in Scotland have been devoted to cost‐comparisons between away‐wintering and possible alternatives such as wintering on hill farms in sheds or on in‐bye pastures. Comprehensive accounts of away‐wintering as it is, not as it might be, especially geographical accounts, have been notably lacking. It was therefore felt that this broad geographical survey or overview of present‐day practices would fill a gap in knowledge.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes: VI. Life-time production form the hill

SUMMARYThe effects of different levels of first-winter nutrition over 3 years were studied on the subsequent life-time production from the hill of groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs (sheep between 6 months and 1½12 years).Lamb production was examined in terms of the percentage of lambs born and reared per ewe alive at each lambing and was expressed as a mean of five lamb crops. An overall measure of flock life-time production was calculated from the data on lamb production. This was the total number of lambs weaned at a mean 15 weeks in each treatment group over five lamb crops expressed as the mean per experimental animal alive at 6 months.All productive components were analysed for differences between breeds, treatments, and weight-classes, i.e. those animals above or below average weight at 6 months.There were no significant treatment differences in life-time production, although the treatment groups showed different trends with increasing age. Higher production in early life following higher levels of first-winter nutrition was associated with less efficient later production and poorer ewe survival in a hard hill environment.It is concluded that improvement in first-winter nutrition above that available on the hill is undesirable and uneconomic without equal improvement in adult nutrition.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes V. Dental development and persistence

1. The effects of different levels of first-winter nutrition over 3 years were studied on the subsequent dental development of groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs (sheep between months and 1½ years) by recording the time eruption of each of the four pairs of permanent incisors. High-plane first-winter feeding resulted earlier eruption of the first pair of permanent incisors. Later pairs were affected to a lesser extent, with low-plane/hill-wintered groups consistently the latest to erupt. Breed and year deviations from the general pattern were small and were largely due variations in growth rate both prior to and during treatment.2. The effects of first-winter treatment were also studied on the heavy and light hoggs (i.e. those above and below average weight) prior to treatment. Although there was only a very limited difference the time of eruption of the heavy and light within each treatment group, the effects of treatment were greater in the heavy-weight class than they were the light.3. The effects of first-winter treatment on dental efficiency and long-term persistence were also studied. There was little difference amongst treatments at 5½ years of age in the bite position, or looseness, wear, or condition of the teeth. Brokenmouth, i.e. the loss of one or more permanent incisors, did not appear in significant proportions until 7½ years of age, when considerable treatment, breed, and year differences were present. The incidence of broken-mouth was lowest in the high-plane and hill-wintered groups and highest in the lowplane and mid-plane/away-wintered.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes: IV. Body growth and development from 18 months to maturity

1. The effects of different levels of first winter nutrition over 3 years were studied from 18 months to maturity on the growth and development of groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs (sheep between 6 months and 1½ years).2. Differences in live weight amongst treatment groups within breeds and years were not significant at 30 months or any subsequent age. Live weight increase continued up to 54 months. Although leg growth had virtually ceased in all treatment groups by 18 months, body growth continued beyond 27 months and differences between treatments, although not always significant, were still present at that time.3. The effects of first-winter treatment were also studied on the heavy and light hoggs (i.e. those above and below average weight) prior to treatment. Differences in weight and size between treatment groups were less persistent in the heavy animals, disappearing by 30 months, while in the light animals they were still present at that time. Regardless of treatment the within-group differences between heavy and light animals increased up to 54 months, the light animals showing relatively slower rates of gain.4. The difficulty of interpreting data on liveweight change due to age, state of maturity, level of feed, and season interactions is commented on. The probable effects of differential productivity resulting from treatment on growth and development from 18 months onwards are discussed.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes:III. Tissue and joint development to 12 and 18 months of age

1. During the winter of 1956-57, three levels of indoor feeding, high, mid, and low, were imposed on groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs (sheep between 6 months and 1½ years) born 1956. During the winter of 1957-58, only two levels, high and mid, were fed indoors to groups of hoggs born 1957, with the low level being represented by hill wintering. After 12 months of age in each year, all were grazed together on the same hill pasture.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes

1. Over 3 years, different levels of first winter nutrition created the following live-weight differences between groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs at 12 months of age. High plane (H.P.) and mid-plane (M.P.) fed groups born 1956 were 34–35% and 11–13% heavier, respectively, than low plane (L.P.) fed groups, H.P. and M.P. fed groups born 1957 were 47–57% and 18–24% heavier, respectively, than hill-wintered groups. Away wintered groups born 1958 were 9–12% heavier than hill-wintered groups. All group differences were highly significant.2. From 12 months onwards all groups were run together on the same hill and received similar management. Live weight and live measurement response of the total treatment groups and of the heavy and light hoggs within the groups prior to treatment were studied over the summer after treatment from 12 to 18 months.

Levels of first winter feeding in relation to performance of Cheviot hill ewes. I. Body growth and development during treatment period

1. Over 3 years, different levels of first winter nutrition were imposed on groups of North and South Country Cheviot ewe hoggs (lambs). In 1956–57, three levels, high, mid and low, were fed indoors. In 1957-58, only two levels, high and mid, were fed indoors, with the low level being represented by hill wintering. In 1958–59, two levels were represented by away wintering and hill wintering.2. Low-plane feeding was designed to simulate average hill wintering, creating a 10% loss in live weight. Mid-plane feeding was designed to maintain live weight at approximately the same level throughout the winter. High-plane feeding was designed to produce a live-weight gain of 15–20% in 1956–57 and the maximum gain possible in 1957–58.

Studies of the Dentition of Sheep: III.—A Study of the Effects of Vitamin D and Phosphorus Deficiencies in the Young Animal on the Productivity, Dentition and Skeleton of Scottish Blackface Ewes

Scottish Blackface ewe hoggs were fed between the ages of 6 and 12 months on diets providing adequate or inadequate levels of phosphorus and, or, vitamin D. Results of certain radiographic and chemical studies on these animals are presented. Singly, or in combination, the provision of adequate phosphorus and vitamin D in their diets had, in general, beneficial effects on the weight records and mineralisation of the skeleton of the animals. The moderate degrees of deficiencies of phosphorus and vitamin D produced in this study had no gross effects on either the development or the loss of the permanent incisors, but the numbers remaining at the end of the experiment were too small to permit the conclusion that there were no effects.

Dental Mal-occlusion and Rickets in Sheep

SUMMARY A severe form of dental mal-occlusion in ewe hoggs developed during a recent winter on the farm of Glensaugh in Kincardineshire, which forms part of the Hill Farming Research Organization. It was impossible for about one-third of approximately 140 hoggs to close the incisor teeth on the dental pad. After treatment with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamins A and D there was a slight improvement in the general condition of the animals and the dental mal-occlusion (shown to be associated with distortion of the mandibular joint) became less marked in affected animals. However, the improvement in occlusion was not accompanied by a correction of the distortion of the mandibular joints and was thought to be partly due to attrition of opposing molar crowns and the eruption of the first pair of permanent incisors which are larger than the temporary teeth they replace.

The use of autumn grass for weaned calves

On hill farms where breeding cattle are kept there are advantages in retaining until the following spring at least a proportion of the surplus calves. The ability to winter them presents wider scope in choice of markets, while the sale of calves in spring, in addition to the dung produced, can provide a greater profit margin if wintering costs are minimised. Grass used efficiently in autumn offers an opportunity to reduce the requirement of the relatively expensive hay, silage, other crops and purchased feed. The value of extended grazing throughout autumn and winter months has been demonstrated by Smith (1953-4) for Blackface ewe hoggs, and for store stock and in-calf heifers by Hughes (1954) and Corbett (1954). In the case of calves, however, the period when late grass can be utilised depends on the continuance of moderate temperatures and availability of shelter from wind and rain, and therefore in most seasons will be relatively short. With these considerations in mind it was decided to compare the performance of two groups of weaned calves, one of which was housed and fed in courts immediately after weaning, while the other remained on grass for several weeks prior to court feeding.