Study of reproductive and productive traits in fourth-generation crossbred ewes (62.5% D'man blood and 37.5% Ouled Djellal blood): effect of lambing order and intergenerational overview
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v31i2.103474Palavras-chave:
crossbred ewe, crossbreeding, lambing, productivity, reproductive.Resumo
The aim of the present study was to: (1) evaluate the impact of lambing order (Ewe age) on the reproductive performance and productivity of fourth-generation (G4) crossbred ewes, with 62.5% D'man (D) blood and 37.5% Ouled Djellal (OD) blood; and (2) to compare the performance of G4 (all parity levels combined) with that of previous generations (G1-G3). Ninety (90) crossbred ewes were used, including 21 females from the first lambing order (1st L), 20 females from the second order (2nd L), 26 females from the third order (3rd L) and 23 females from the fourth order (4th L). All females underwent heat synchronization through ram effect and were mated with purebred OD rams. At G4, the results obtained show an improvement in the fecundity of crossbred ewes in the 4th L (147.83±12.37%; p=0.051) of 55%, 41% and 28%, in numerical productivity (116.67±15.54%; p=0.048) by 88%, 56% and 38%, and weight productivity (18.66±1.49 kg/ewe; p=0.001) by 94%, 7% and 62% compared to the first, second and third lambing.
In addition, an improvement in reproductive and productive performance was observed for the four generations (G1-G4), particularly in G2 (50% OD blood and 50% D blood), compared to the values reported in the literature for purebred OD ewes raised under Algerian conditions. The notable improvement recorded in the 4th L ewes of G4 highlights the importance of this factor in the strategies for the second phase of multiplication and selection in this crossbreeding programme, with a view to increase sheep production in Algeria.
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