Evaluation the production performance of dual purposes ewes with Milk and Meat lines in Awassi sheep

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Center in Salamieh/ General Agricultural Scientific Research Commission, (GASRC), within the framework of cooperation with the Arab Center for the Studies of the Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD). Production records of 192 Awassi ewes of three production sheep lines (milk, meat and dual purposes line) of 1st parity at 2009. The ewe performance evaluation was directed with aim to estimates the non genetic factors affected lamb's weight at different age,( birth, weaning, 90 and 180 days and growth rate to weaning age and to 180 days), ewe milk production ( at 30, 60, and 90days, average daily and the total milk yield, and lactation period), and the ewe performance of litter size and weight at lambing and weaning age. Data were statistically analyzed using Least Squares methods of SAS.The results showed, that all studied traits were significantly (P<0.01, P<0.05) affect by all factors, except ewe lines on pre weaning growth rate, and type of birth on post weaning growth rate. While, lamb's sex on birth and weaning weight and post weaning growth rate are the important traits in sheep breeding and production. Meanwhile, the ewe lambing weight did not affect any of studied traits. The means of lamb's weight at birth, weaning age, and 90 and 180 days were 4.38, 16.25, 28.94, and 32.97,while, the pre and post weaning growth rate were 204.90 and 136.21 gm. respectively. Lamb's of dual purposes line were exceeded in all weights significantly (P<0.05) the other milk and meat lines.All milk traits were affected significantly (P<0.01, P<0.05) by studied factors except the lactation period with ewe production lines. Type of lambing did not affected all traits, while, lamb's sex and ewe lambing weights on total milk yields P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively. The results showed that the mean of milk production at 30, 60 (weaning age), 90, total milk yield were 46.64, 89.15, 133.46 and 247.76 kg. and 1.37 kg. average daily milk yield. Moreover, ewes of the dual purpose ewes were exceeded significantly P<0.05 the ewe performance of other two ewe lines. Litter size at weaning age did not affected by ewe production lines, and ewe weight on all ewe performance traits. The obtained means of 6.60, 26.54 kg., and 1.65 of litter weights at birth and weaning age and litter size. Moreover, lamb's weight of the meat line was exceeded significantly P<0.05 the means of milk and the dual purposes lines.