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Growth of cross-bred Dorset Horn lambs from East African Blackheaded Sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. C. M. Trail  and
G. D. Sacker
J. C. M. Trail
Affiliation:
Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, Uganda
G. D. Sacker
Affiliation:
Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, Uganda
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Summary

The growth of ½ ⅝, and ¾ bred Dorset Horn lambs was examined in Western Uganda. These were produced by mating Dorset Horn rams with East African Blackheaded, ¼ bred Dorset and 1/2 bred Dorset females respectively.

The influence of type of birth (single or twin) was maximum at the end of the main 2-month suckling period and progressively decreased to 11 months of age. The influence of maternal age did not decline as lambs grew older. Dorset ewes, ¼ and ½-bred, had superior milking capabilities, as measured by lamb growth at 2 months of age, to indigenous ewes. Lambs, ⅝ and ¾-bred, were 26 % heavier than ½-bred lambs at 2 months of age, and as all three types grew at the same rate from 2 to 11 months, ⅝- and ¾-bred lambs retained this initial advantage.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 73 , Issue 2 , October 1969 , pp. 239 - 243
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

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