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A note on a comparison of crossbreds from two prolific sheep breeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

T. G. Boaz
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
R. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT
C. Smith
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
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Abstract

Two groups of crossbred ewes, produced by crossing the Scottish Blackface with two prolific sheep breeds, the East Friesian and the Animal Breeding Research Organisation Dam Line, were compared in good lowland conditions over three ages (2 to 4 years) from 1976 to 1978. The East Friesian crossbred ewes were heavier, had larger, heavier litters and had heavier lambs at weaning. More of their lambs were slaughtered directly off their dams, at heavier weights and at earlier ages. The total weight of lamb sold per ewe was about 15% higher than for the Dam Line crossbred ewes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1980

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References

Smith, C., King, J. W. B., Nicholson, D., Wolf, B. T. and Bampton, P. R. 1979. Performance of crossed sheep from a synthetic Dam Line. Anim. Prod. 29: 19.Google Scholar