Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2brh9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T06:40:50.374Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Using Suffolk sheep for improving lamb production from subtropical Egyptian sheep

3. Ewe lamb performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. M. Aboul ,
A. S. el-Shobokshy  and
M. G. Gabr
A. M. Aboul
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
A. S. el-Shobokshy
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
M. G. Gabr
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The performance of Suffolk cross-bred ewe lambs produced either by Suffolk crossbred ewes, 70–90% Suffolk (HS), or by Ossimi ewes, 35–45% Suffolk (LS), was investigated. Forty-three ewe lambs from both groups were available, and were given two different levels of feeding.

The LS ewe lambs showed, insignificantly, better growth performance than the HS group, and breed group differences increased with age. They also reached puberty earlier (305·4 v. 334·6 days for the HS ewe lambs). Using the HS breeding rams rather than the imported Suffolk ones, for improving lamb production from the local sheep flocks, is recommended.

The LS ewe lambs started their first breeding season 18 days earlier, and ended 34 days later, than the HS ewe lambs. Both cross-bred groups showed clear anoestrous periods of 225·4 and 202·2 days, respectively. The onset of their second breeding season was similar, on average 29 August. These figures are close to those of the purebred Suffolk ewes, and far away from the nonseasonal local parents.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 95 , Issue 2 , October 1980 , pp. 333 - 337
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aboul-Naga, A. M. (1977). Location effect on the lamb performance of three indigenous breeds of sheep under subtropical conditions of Egypt. Indian Journal of Animal Science 47, 29–33.Google Scholar
Aboul-Naga, A. M. (1978). Using Suffolk sheep for improving lamb production from subtropical Egyptian sheep. 1. Reproductive performance. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 90, 125–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Aboul-Naga, A. M. & El-Shobokshy, A. S. (1974). Fattening performance and carcass quality of Suffolk cross-bred lambs compared with Ossimi. Agricultural Research Review, Cairo 52, 63–72.Google Scholar
Allen, D. M. & Lamming, G. E. (1961). Some effects of nutrition on growth and sexual development of ewe lambs. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 57, 87–95.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
El-Fouly, M. A., Shafie, M. M., Abdel-Aziz, A. S. & Kandeel, S. A. (1977). Seasonal variation in oestrous activity in Ossimi and Rahmany ewes. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production 17, 75–85.Google Scholar
El-Sherbiny, A., Labban, F. & Radwan, A. (1970). Effect of crossing Suffolk on fleece weight and physical characteristics of wool. Journal of Agricultural Research Review 48, 43–48.Google Scholar
El-Shobokshy, A. S. & Aboul-Naga, A. M. (1978). Using Suffolk sheep for improving lamb production from subtropical Egyptian sheep. 2. Lamb and fattening performance. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 90, 131–137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hafez, E. S. E. (1952). Studies on the breeding season and reproduction in ewes. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 42, 189–265.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hafez, E. S. E. (1953). Puberty in female farm animals. Empire Journal of Experimental Agriculture 21, 217–225.Google Scholar
Keane, M. G. (1974). Effect of body weight on attainment of puberty and reproductive performance in Suffolk-cross ewe lambs. Irish Journal of Agricultural Research 13, 263.Google Scholar
Sharafeldin, M. A., Ragab, M. T. & Khalil, I. A. (1969). Sexual behavior of female lambs as affected by the plane of nutrition. World Review of Animal Production 5, 83–86.Google Scholar
Tommi, M. F. (1963). Ration and Allowances of Farm Animals. Moscow, Sel-Khoz. Isdat.Google Scholar