ESTIMATION OF PHENOTYPIC CORRELATIONS AND REPEATABILITY OF SOME ECONOMIC TRAITS IN AWASSI AND HAMDANI EWES

Abstract

This study included two flocks of Awassi (106) and Hamdani (73) ewes belongs to the Animal Resources Department College of Agriculture and Forestry at Mosul University. and another flock of Awassi ewes (127) belongs to the Animal Husbandry Station General Directorate of Applied Agriculture Researches at Rashidia Region during 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. The studied traits were daily milk yield (DMY) and some of its physical traits at fixed intervals 15 days post lambing for 5-6 months. Also wool yield (WY) and some of its physical traits were studied during the two seasons. The results revealed a highly positive significant correlation (p≤ 0.01) between (DMY) and ewe weight. a highly positive significant correlation (p≤ 0.01) between fat percentage with both protein and lactose percentage. between protein and lactose percentage in Awassi ewes. There was a positive significant correlation (p≤ 0.05) between (DYM) and ewe weight. and a highly significant correlation (p≤ 0.01) between fat and protein percentage. between protein and lactose percentage in Hamdani ewes. While the rest of the relationships were negative or non significant in both breeds. There were a highly significant correlations (p≤ 0.01) between greasy fleece weight (GFW) and all wool traits and ewe weight. also between clean fleece weight (CFW) with all wool traits. between clean wool (CW) with both staple length (SL) and fibre length (FL). between (SL) and (FL) in Awassi ewes. In Hamdani ewes all the relations were non significant except for (GFW) with both (CFW) and (CW). between (CFW) and (CW). between (SL) and (FL) were highly significant (p≤ 0.01). Repeatability estimates for milk traits in Awassi ewes were low to high (0.015-0.785) while in Hamdani ewes were low to moderate (0.052-0.400). Repeatability estimates for wool traits were low to high in Awassi and Hamdani ewes (0.013-0.785) and (0.206-0.749) respectively.