The Effects of Weaning at Different Ages on Growth Performances and Survival Rates of Profilic and Terminal Lamb Breeds

Abstract

In this study, we compared the growth and survival characteristics of Romanov × Morkaraman (F1 Rom), Romanov × F1 Romanov (G1 Rom) and Charollais × F1 Romanov (Charom) crossbreed lambs weaning weight at different ages. After birth, from three genotypes lambs were weaned at two different ages of 50 and 75 days and growth performance after weaning was examined at 120 days of age. The effect of three different genotypes and birth type on birth weight was very important, and sex effect was insignificant. In weaning weight, only the effect of birth type was found to be significant. Lamb birth and weaning weights were in Charom, F1 Rom, G1 Rom lambs, 3.38-15.28; 3.98-15.04; 3.21-15.55 kg, respectively. The type of birth showed variation in the birth weight of the lamb and the decrease in lamb birth weights (Single: 4.19 kg: Twin: 3.42 kg; Triplet: 3.15 kg and Quadrature: 2.88 kg) was observed as the number of offspring increased. The effect of the birth type on weaning weights was similar in single and triplet. Single-born lambs have higher weaning weights than those of twins and quadruplets. Average daily live weight gain (ADG) from weaning in single lambs, 247.37 g were found higher than twin (190.67 g), triplets (201.44 g) and quadruplets (178.57 g). The effect of weaning age was insignificant on weaning weights. The first month weight after weaning, effect of the genotype of the lamb, the birth type and the sex were insignificant; but effect of weaning age was significant weaning weights and first month after weaning weights the ADG. The late weaned lambs had higher next first month live weight (18.62-17.89 kg) and ADG (179.45-81.32 g). The live weights of the lambs on the 120 days were similar and none of the factors investigated were found to be effective.