Abstract:
A study was conducted to investigate genetic and non-genetic factors influencing
reproductive and growth performance of Menz and Awassi x Menz (A x M) crossbred
sheep under semi-intensive conditions at Amed Guya Sheep and Forage Seed
Multiplication Center. Growth records of lambs of Menz (n = 2711), 50% A x M (n =
2207) and 75% A x M crossbred (n = 889), and corresponding reproductive recordsfrom
Menz ewes (n = 2996) and 50% A x M crossbred ewes (n =1445) as well as lamb
mortality data (n = 510) collected from 1993 to 2009 were analysed. Reproductive
performance was estimated based on: fecundity, fertility rate, lambing rate and weaning
rate. Fixed effects fitted were year of mating or lambing, season of mating or lambing
and breed (Ram and Ewe) for reproductive performance evaluation. Data structure in the
present study did not permit to determine the parity of reproduction traits. Data were
analyzed using GLM procedures of SAS (2002). There was a significant (P < 0.05) effect
of mating year on fecundity. Lambing rate andfertility rate was significantly (P < 0.01)
affected by ram breed and mating year. Ram breed (P < 0.05) and lambing year (P <
0.000 1) had a significant effect on weaning rate. The least squares means for
reproductive traits were 1.02, 62.78%, 61.83% and 89. 90% for fecundity, lambing rate,
fertility rate, weaning rate, respectively. Reproductive trait (fecundity: 1.00 versus 1. 02;
lambing rate: 70.40% versus 63. 05%; fertility rate: 70.22% versus 62.04%) and weaning
rates (94.45% versus 91.09%) for 50% A x M and pure Menz ewes, respectively, were not
significantly different. The overall mortality rate was 11.13%. Growth performance was
estimated based on birth weight (BW), Average Daily Gain (ADG) and weaning weight at
90-day (WW), respectively. Fixed effects used were year, parity, breed, season, birth type
and sex of lamb for growth. The genotype of lamb, sex and birth year were significant
sources of variation for birth weight, ADG and weaning weight. Birth season
significantly affected the birth weight (P < 0.01) and ADG (P< 0.001). Parity had a
significant (P < 0.0001) influence on the ADG and weaning weight. Type of birth,
however, only significantly (P < 0.0001) affected birth weight. Least squares means for
BW (kg), ADC (g/day) and WW (kg) were: 2.70, 95.44 and 11.36, respectively. Lambs
born in the main rainy season were heavier (P < 0.01) than those born in the dry and
short rainy season at birth, while lambs born in the dry and short rainy season recorded
a higher (P < 0.001) pre-weaning ADG than main rainy season born lambs. Male lambs
were heavier (P < 0.0001) than female lambs at birth, weaning and pre-weaning daily
gain by 0.07 kg, 0.2 kg and 3.72 g/day, respectively, while lambs born as singles were
heavier (P < 0.0001) than lambs born as twins at birth by 0.71 kg. Results also revealed
A x M crossbred lambs were notably heavier and grew faster than Menz through the
period under investigation. However, Menz lambs had a higher survival rate than the
lambs born from 50% & 75% A x M lambs. It is concluded that the effects some of
genetic and non-genetic factors on both growth and reproductive traits considered were
significant and hence need to be considered in sheep breed improvement program.