Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T05:24:02.454Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Growth of cross-bred Dorset Horn lambs from East African Blackheaded Sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. C. M. Trail  and
G. D. Sacker
J. C. M. Trail
Affiliation:
Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, Uganda
G. D. Sacker
Affiliation:
Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, Uganda
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The growth of ½ ⅝, and ¾ bred Dorset Horn lambs was examined in Western Uganda. These were produced by mating Dorset Horn rams with East African Blackheaded, ¼ bred Dorset and 1/2 bred Dorset females respectively.

The influence of type of birth (single or twin) was maximum at the end of the main 2-month suckling period and progressively decreased to 11 months of age. The influence of maternal age did not decline as lambs grew older. Dorset ewes, ¼ and ½-bred, had superior milking capabilities, as measured by lamb growth at 2 months of age, to indigenous ewes. Lambs, ⅝ and ¾-bred, were 26 % heavier than ½-bred lambs at 2 months of age, and as all three types grew at the same rate from 2 to 11 months, ⅝- and ¾-bred lambs retained this initial advantage.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , October 1969 , pp. 239 - 243
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

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

Richard, M. & Cooper, M. McG. (1966). Analysis of production records from a lowland sheep flock. Anim. Prod. 8, 401.Google Scholar
Harvey, W. R. (1960). Least-squares analysis of data with unequal subclass numbers. Bull. U.S. Dep.Agric. agric. Res. Serv. 20–8.Google Scholar
Hazel, L. N. & Terrell, C. E. (1946). Effects of some environmental factors on fleece and body characteristics of range Rambouillet yearling ewes. J. Anim. Sci. 5, 382.Google Scholar
Hunter, G. L. (1956). The maternal influence on size in sheep. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 48, 36.Google Scholar
Sacker, G. D. & Trail, J. C. M. (1966). Production characteristics of a flock of East African Blackheaded sheep. E. Afr. agric. For. J. 31, 392.Google Scholar
Trail, J. C. M. & Sacker, G. D. (1966). Production records of lambs from East African Blackheaded ewes and Dorset Horn rams. E. Afr. agric. For. J. 32, 133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vesely, J. A. & Slen, S. B. (1961). Heritabilities of weaning weight, yearling weight, and clean fleece weight in range Romnolet sheep. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 41, 109.Google Scholar