ANALYSIS OF THE LIVE WEIGHT AND THE GAIN OF LAMBS FROM THE FLOCK OF ILE DE FRANCE BREED ACCORDING TO GENEALOGICAL LINES

T. Ivanova, E. Raicheva

Abstract: The aim of this study was analysis of the live weight and the gain of lambs from the flock of Ile de France breed in the Institute of Animal Science – Kostinbrod, according to genealogical lines. The study was conducted with 702 breeding lambs during the period 2009 – 2015. The lambs were divided into six groups according to their origin: the first group – ram № 3015, second – № 3127, third – № 3323, fourth – № 3459, fifth – № 70 368 and sixth – № 70375. The live weight was measured in 345 male and 357 ewe lambs born as single (238) and twins (464). 2808 measurements of the live weight were made at birth, 10, 30 and 70 days of age and average daily weight gain was calculated between 10–30 and 30–70 days. The obtained information was assessed by the methods of variation statistics using EXCEL 2003 statistical package. The male lambs of line 3459 born as single had lower live weight and lower average daily gain between 10–30 days compared to other lines, whereas the male lambs of the 70375 born as twins had lower live weight at birth, 10 and 30 days of age. The female lambs from line 70 375 born as single had lower live weight at birth, 30 and 70 days of age and the female lambs of the line 3127 born as twins had lower live weight at 70 days of age and average daily gain between 30–70 days. Despite of the existing significant differences between some of the studied traits, no clear differentiation between the lines was observed in this study.

Keywords: average daily gain; genealogical lines; Ile de France; live weight

Date published: 2018-03-14