Effect of the various body measurements on the reproductive performance in Arabi ewes: 1. Influence on the prolificacy rate

Abstract

This study was conducted on ten commercial herds in the Almodayna erea, province of Basrah. 863 Arabi ewes were used with different ages (1-5 years), aimed to study the influence of various body measurements (body length, height at shoulder, height at rump, chest circumference and girth circumference) on the reproductive performance of Arabi ewes. The study revealed that the body measurements: body length, height at shoulder, height at rump, chest circumference and girth circumference were 70.96±0.09, 51.81±0.07, 54.7±0.08, 90.93±0.13 and 94.68±0.15, respectevelly. Also the present study revealed that the body measurements affected on the prolificacy rate (twins), the ewes lambing twins had better physical situation (body measurements) than ewes lambing single (73.27 ± 0.20, 53.17±0.34, 55.66±0.41, 93.20±0.50 and 97.41±0.65) and (70.85±0.09, 51.74±0.07, 54.00±0.08, 90.82±0.14 and 94.55±0.16), respectively. Positive correlations between various body measurements were recorded, there were a high correlation coefficients among the chest circumference and girth circumference (+0.90±0.04), height at shoulder and chest circumference (+0.83±0.07), height at shoulder and girth circumference (+0.64±0.12), height at rump and girth circumference (+0.65±0.11), while significant correlation were recorded among the height at shoulder and chest circumference (+0.47±0.16) and height at rump and chest circumference (+0.52±0.15). can conclude from the present study the possibility of the selection of animals through various body measurements to improve the situation of domestic animals, especially with regard to reproductive efficiency already low in these animals.