Age Changes in the Body Weight of Ram Lambs Obtained From Ewes of Different Body Types

Abstract

The research was carried out in the production conditions of the private farm “AGRO-DIS” of the Podilsky district of the Odesa oblast with the population of crossbred F1 rams, obtained from the industrial crossing of ewes of the Askaniysky meat-wool breed with crossbred wool of the Odesa inbred type of different body types with Merinolandschaf rams. Changes in body weight of ram lambs from birth to 18 months old were studied according to generally accepted methods. It was established that the type of birth – singles or twins – affects the body weight of crossbred lambs. So, at birth, single lambs, offspring of ewes with a strong body type, had the largest body weight compared to peers of other body types. Their advantage compared to peers obtained from ewes of a slender body type was 1.3 kg or 26.42% (Р>0.999), and compared to rams of a corpulent body type, it was 0.59 kg or 10.48% (Р>0, 95). However, in later age periods of growth, peers of the corpulent body type dominated in terms of body weight. Crossbred rams (AMO x ME) in all age periods of growth had a high body weight regardless of the type of birth and the body type of the ewes. The difference in body weight of single rams, offspring from ewes of strong and corpulent body type was greater in favor of rams obtained from ewes of corpulent body type with a high degree of probability and amounted to: in 4 months. – 11.54 kg or 26.58% (Р>0.999), 8 months. – 9.29 kg or 18.8% (Р>0.999), 12 months. –14.26 kg or 23.2% (Р>0.999), 16 months. – 10.39 kg or 14.35% (Р>0.999), 18 months. – 11.15 kg or 13.93% (Р>0.999). Offspring born by ewes with a corpulent body type also prevailed over peers obtained from ewes of a slender body type at all age periods of growth. The obtained results of research indicate the expediency of industrial crossbreeding at farms with the aim of increasing the meat productivity of sheep.