Effects of sire breed on prolific chances and weaning weight of ewes
Bramantyo Jusuf Sapa

Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
bramantyojs[at]student.ub.ac.id

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the sire of a sheep^s breed along with their physical quality, which is weight, to see the correlations with the prolific capabilities of the sheep. One hundred twenty seven ewes were measured as to obtain their weaning weight and were reviewed based on past recordings wether they^re of singular birth or prolific. Measurements are also done towards their Sires and Dams to investigate the effects of parents^ weight on the prolific ewes qualities and their weight during the weaning period. Those lambs are mostly within weaning period to determine the correlation of weight and breed to how they were born under proliferative context. Using the average weaning weight of the lambs obtained from measurement, categorized by breed (DEG, Garut, Texel cross, and Merino cross) along with birth type (Single, Twins, Triplets), the results are summarized to several interpretations which reveals that crossbreeds generally have heavier weight but less prolific births compared to local breeds. Data analysis utilizing anova results that weaning weight is affected by birth type (P<0.05), but is nearly unaffected by breed (P < 0.5). The chances of prolific birth itself is also unaffected by breed (P<0.5).

Keywords: breed, weaning weight, prolific

Topic: Animal Reproduction and Breeding