Teklebrhan T., Urge M., Mekasha Y., Baissa M.
College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 236, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Teklebrhan, T., College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 236, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; Urge, M., College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 236, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; Mekasha, Y., College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 236, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia; Baissa, M., College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, P.O. Box 236, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
A study was conducted to assess the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors (litter size, sex of lamb, and parity of dam) on pre-weaning growth performance of crossbred lambs (75 % Dorper (DR) 25 % indigenous lambs; and 50 % Dorper 50 % indigenous lambs) under semi-intensive husbandry practices in eastern Ethiopia. Data from a total of 275 Dorper sire breed × indigenous (Blackhead Ogaden [BHO] and Hararghe Highland [HH]) crossbred lambs with different genetic group of the parental breeds were collected for three consecutive years (2009 to 2011). Pre-weaning growth performance attributes of crossbred lambs studied were birth weight, weaning weight, and pre-weaning average daily gain. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS (2003). Breed group and non-genetic factors significantly affected pre-weaning growth performance. Lambs with 75 % Dorper and 25 % indigenous had higher (P < 0.01) birth weight than 50 % DR and 50 % HH but similar to 50 % DR and 50 % BHO. Weaning weight and pre-weaning live weight gain were higher (P < 0.01) for 3/4DR1/4BHO and 3/4DR1/4HH than 50 % Dorper inheritance. Single-born lambs had higher weight at birth, weaning weight, and pre-weaning average daily gain as compared to twins. Sex comparison is significant (P < 0.05) and male lambs recorded highest pre-weaning growth performance compared to female counterparts. Parity, season, and lambing year significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the pre-weaning growth of crossbred lambs. Therefore, it could be concluded that 50-75 % Dorper inheritance improved pre-weaning growth performance of indigenous breeds of Hararghe Highland and Blackhead Ogaden sheep. The result also suggested culling of ewes older than fourth parity to improve the pre-weaning growth performance of lambs. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
Animalia; Ovis aries; animal; animal husbandry; Ethiopia; female; genetics; growth, development and aging; male; sheep; suckling animal; weaning; weight gain; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Animals, Suckling; Ethiopia; Female; Male; Sheep; Weaning; Weight Gain