Reproduction and Production Performances of Boujaâd Breed of Sheep in Morocco
2003
A. Chikhi | I. Boujenane
The study concerned the analysis of 1264 reproduction performances, 1698 fleece weights, 1588 growth and viability performances and 184 fattening and carcass performances of Boujaâd breed of sheep. Data were collected during seven periods, between 1993-94 and 1999-2000, at the Deroua Experimental Station of INRA. The ewes’ fertility rate and gestation length were 98% and 151 days, respectively, litter size at birth and weaning (90 days) 1.29 and 1.24, respectively, and litter weights at birth and weaning 5.03 and 26.8 kg, respectively. Fleece weight averaged 3.47 kg. Lambs weighed 3.89 kg at birth, 10.3 kg at 30 days and 21.8 kg at 90 days of age. Their average daily gain was 213 g from birth to 30 days and 190 g between 30 and 90 days. The mortality rate from birth to 90 days averaged 8%. After a fattening period of 66.4 days, male lambs born single exhibited an average daily gain of 280 g and a feed efficiency of 4.70 kg of feed per kilogram of weight gained. Slaughtered at 171 days of age, their slaughtering weight averaged 44.8 kg, hot carcass weight 22.4 kg, and dressing yield 50%. It was concluded that the Boujaâd sheep breed has promising potentialities that could be developed to increase meat production in Morocco.
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