THE EFFECT OF BODY WEIGHT AND LITTER SIZE ON SOME PRODUCTIVE PARAMETERS AND MILK COMPONENTS OF SHEEP UNDER SEMI – INTENSIVE BREEDING

• Main Author: Khalid Sultan
• Format: Article
• Language: Arabic
• Published: College of Agriculture 2019-11-01
• Series: Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture
• Subjects: production,,; ,،,؛twin,,; ,،,؛milk traits,,; ,،,؛awassi
• Online Access: https://magrj.mosuljournals.com/article_163252_e0437322e963f977a594e8402602ea16.pdf

In the current study, 28 Awassi ewes ( 2 -3 ) years aged were used with their lambs for 12 weeks, to evaluate the effect of ewes body weight BW and Litter size LS on Body weight BW, Body gain BG of lambs, Milk yield MY and milk components of ewes. After lambing, ewes were weighted directly. Ewes divided to 4 groups depending on it's body weight , the groups were: 1st and 2nd groups: ewes with high body weight and single lambing HS, and twin lambing HT respectively, 3rd and 4th groups: ewes with low body weight and single lambing LS, and twin lambing LT respectively. The results showed a significant increase (p≤0.05) in BW and BG in HS lambs groups compared with LT lambs most weeks of study. MY was higher significantly (p≤0.05) in H ewes group that have twin lambs at most weeks of study, milk fat% recorded a significant increase in milk fat% in H ewes group with single lamb.. In conclusion, single lambs born and reared by heavy ewes were became heavier at the end of lactation period( at weaning), also ewes with twin lambs regardless if it was H or L will have more milk yield.