Effects of non-genetic factors on pre-weaning growth traits in Dorper sheep managed intensively in central Mexico
2016
Mellado,Jesús | Marín,Víctor | Reyes-Carrillo,José L. | Mellado,Miguel | Gaytán,Leticia | De Santiago,Ma. de los Ángeles
Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the non-genetic factors which affect growth traits in Dorper lambs under intensive conditions. Nine hundred and ninety birth weight records and 851 weaning weight data from a commercial sheep farm were used. A model containing the effects of year of birth, season of birth, litter size, dams' age and gender was used for identification of factors affecting growth traits. Birth weight was highest (p < 0.05) in summer and lowest in winter and spring. Male lambs excelled females in birth weight, weaning weight, and average daily gain. Young dams produced offspring with a lower (p < 0.05) birth weight and weaning weight than older ewes As a conclusion, important influences of environmental factors on growth traits were identified for Dorper lambs.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Scientific Electronic Library Online Mexico