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.
 

M. H Fahmy

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