Abstract
Performance of 14 ewes imported from France and their progeny born in Canada over a period of five years are reported. Least-squares means for fe r t ilit y were 100% for ewes mated in the fa ll and winter and 42% for those mated in the summer (May - June). L itter size at birth (2.86 ± .15) and at weaning (2.10 ± .15) were significan tly affected by season of mating and parity. The most p ro lific matings were those of the fa ll (3.18) and of ewes in their 5th parity (3.54). On the average .52 (18.2%) lambs died at birth and a further .25 (8.7%) before weaning. In a ll, 27% of the lambs born died before weaning. Mortality was particularly high in the first year (40%). L itter weight averaged 7.1 kg at birth total, 6.0 kg alive and 39.0 kg weaned. Romanov carcasses dressed between 43 and 46%; they were sligh tly shorter and less developed in the hind quarters than the Suffolk carcasses. Significant differences were found between castrated and non-castrated Romanov lambs, particularly in traits related to fat deposition and area of loin-eye muscle. The results showed that the Romanovs adapted well to the Canadian conditions. Key Words: Romanov sheep, Reproductive performance, Carcass tra its.
Proceedings of the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Volume IX. Breeding programs for dairy and beef cattle, water buffalo, sheep, and goats., , 559–564, 1986
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