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Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2005 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 11 | Page No.: 1499-1502
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Research Article

Reproductive Performance of Kivircik Ewes on Accelerated Lambing Management

Mehmet Koyuncu

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of accelerated lambing scheme of three lambing in two years. Ewes were bred at 8 month intervals; July (J), March (M) and November (N). Lambing rates for J, M and N were found 89.6, 90.5 and 92.2%, respectively. Litter size at birth in J (1.56) and M (1.54) differed (p<0.01) with respect to N (1.31). Lamb survival at weaning in J (94.7%) was higher (p<0.05) than M (90.4%) and N (91.3%). Weaning rate was affected (p<0.01) by breeding date; N-ewes had fever lambs weaned than J and M-ewes. In general, both prolificacy and weaning rate were consistently higher (p<0.05) as ewe`s age increased. This accelerated lambing scheme generated a ewe productivity, on an annual basis, of 1.33±0.07 lambing, a litter size of 1.77±0.22 at birth and 1.66±0.21 at weaning. Considering the July values as those representing an annual breeding, the accelerated lambing scheme increased lamb production 15% at birth and 19% at weaning. The results indicated that Kivircik ewes have a good potential for production systems requiring improved prolificacy or accelerated lambing management.
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