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Relationships between pre-weaning growth, post-weaning growth and mature body size in Chios sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. P. Mavrogenis  and
A. Constantinou
A. P. Mavrogenis
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
A. Constantinou
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Abstract

The study examined early measures of growth and their relationships with mature body size. Data on 792 purebred females of the Chios breed, born and reared on two experimental farms between 1978 and 1986, were analysed. Pedigree information and records on live weight at birth, at weaning, 105 days of age and at first and subsequent matings was recorded. There were flock-year differences for all traits studied (P < 0·01) and birth type was important for all traits except post-weaning growth rate. Dam lactation number had no significant effect on birth weight and pre-weaning growth rate, but it significantly affected all subsequent weights and post-weaning growth rate. Estimated heritabilities increased with age and ranged from 0·13 (s.e. 0·14) (birth weight) to 0·30 (s.e. 0·15) (mature weight). Genetic correlations were generally positive between weights and growth traits. Phenotypic correlations were positive and followed the pattern of the genetic correlations. The results suggest that selection for 105-day weight will result in increased mature weight.

Keywords

body weightgrowth ratesheep
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 50 , Issue 2 , April 1990 , pp. 271 - 275
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1990

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