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The duration of the breeding season in Suffolk × Galway ewe lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. G. Keane
Affiliation:
An Foras Taluntais, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland

Summary

The duration of the breeding season was studied in 33 Suffolk × Galway ewe lambs which had a mean live weight of 45·9 ± 1·4 kg. The mean dates of onset and cessation of oestrous activity were 8 November ± 1·4 days and 12 January ± 2·6 days, respectively. The mean number of heat periods exhibited was 4·37 0·3 and the duration of the breeding season was 81 ± 5·7 days. Only 18·2 % of animals had ≥ 6 heat periods while 45·5 % of animals had ≤ 3 heat periods. The incidence of silent heats was 9·2 %.

Type
Short Note
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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