Weight development and growth intensity of lambs from the Karnobat Fine Fleece breed depending on sex and type of birth
Genoveva Staykova, Margarit Iliev, Todor Tsonev
Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to establish the dynamics of weight development and growth capacities until weaning in lambs from the Karnobat Fine-fleece breed in both sexes and different types of birth. The subjects of the study were 15 female and 15 male lambs. The study was conducted in the flock owned by Institute of Agriculture – Karnobat, during the 2020 lambing season. Four groups were formed, equalized according to the method of analogues by type of birth (singles, twins), gender (male, female), age and live weight. Live weight was recorded at birth, at 10 days, at 30 days, at 70 days and at 90 days. It has been established that the Karnobat Fine-fleece sheep breed is characterized by a good intensity of offspring growth until weaning, with female lambs reaching an average of 29.233 kg, and male lambs, respectively, 30.835 kg at 90 days. The average daily gain of lambs from the Karnobat Fine-fleece breed ranged from 0.236 kg to 0.344 kg for females by periods and from 0.242 kg to 0.367 kg for male lambs. Lambs of both sexes achieved the highest growth in the period 30-70 days. The results of the study indicate good compensatory abilities in the weight development of lambs born as twins from the Karnobat Fine-fleece sheep breed. The total gain reached by twin lambs at 90 days was close in value to singles of both sexes, being 1.97% lower in female lambs and 4.77% lower in male offspring. The Karnobat Fine-fleece breed has a good genetic potential for meat production, which is an advantage for sustainable development against the background of competition from specialized meat-producing sheep breeds in Bulgaria.
Keywords: average daily gain; Karnobat Fine-fleece sheep breed; live weight; sex; type of birth
Citation: Staykova, G., Iliev, M. & Tsonev, T. (2023). Weight development and growth intensity of lambs from the Karnobat Fine Fleece breed depending on sex and type of birth. Bulgarian Journal of Animal Husbandry, 60(5), 3-11 (Bg).
Date published: 2023-10-30
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