LIVE WEIGHT AND INTENSITY OF GROWTH OF LAMBS FROM LACAUNE BREED RAISED IN BULGARIA

S. SEVOV, D. GEORGIEV, D. PANAYOTOV

Abstract: The study was conducted with 45 lambs from the breed Lacaune which were offspring of sheep imported from France and inseminated at 9-10 months of age. The live weight and intensity of growth of the lambs from birth up to 90 days of age were controlled. A very good live weight of the lambs was observed – an average 4.516 kg at birth, 15.933 kg at weaning and 26.178 kg at 90 days of age, as well as a slight superiority of male over female lambs at all three ages. The single lambs at all studied ages had a higher live weight, than twin lambs – with 0.760 kg at birth, with 3.13 kg at weaning, and with 3.36 kg at 90 days of age. The factor “type of birth” had a reliable influence on the live weight of lambs at different ages, and that influence was relatively higher on the live weight at weaning. The results from the conducted exterior measurements of the lambs confirmed the realized very high intensity of growth during the suckling period. The wither height was an average 46.64 cm, the body length - 72.89 cm, and the chest circumference - 62.16 cm. For all three indicators the differences between the average values of the male and female lambs were minimal, and between single and twin lambs – significantly higher and reliable. The obtained phenotypic correlations between the traits, which determine the intensity of growth of lambs, were positive - with average to high level of significance.

Keywords: body measurements; daily gain; Lacaune; lambs growth

Date published: 2018-04-20