The Influence of Sheep Age at First Calving on the Productive Performance of Lambs from Tsigai breed

Authors

  • Elena Ilișiu Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania
  • Andreea-Hortanse Anghel Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania
  • Vasile-Călin Ilișiu Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania
  • Camelia-Zoia Zamfir Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania
  • Cristian-Vasile Ilișiu Caprirom Nord Association, Dedradului, 11, Reghin, Romania
  • Daniela-Rodica Mare Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania
  • Dorina Nadolu Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania
  • Ion-Dumitru Chirteș Research and Development Institute for Sheep and Goat Palas - Constanta, I.C. Brătianu, 248, Constanța, Romania

Keywords:

age, fecundity, lambs, prolificacy, Tsigai, weaning rate

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age on reproductive indices and on growth performances, carcass and meat quality of Tsigai lambs coming from young females (8 months age), in order to improve meat quality and meat sensory characteristics of lambs. 222 adult ewes and 51 young females were pursued in the breeding and calving season 2020-2021. The fecundity, prolificacy and weaning rate was 78.43%, 105% and 78.57% to young females and 94.60%, 105.24% and 91.40% to adult ewes, respectively. Thirty lambs (L1, n = 14 heads coming from young females and L2, n = 16 heads from adult ewes) were used in the experiment from birth up to end of intensive fattening of 100 days. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between the two lots with regard at final weight and average daily gain during fattening period, but significant differences (p < 0.001) were found for average daily gain from birth to the end of fattening. Significant differences (p <0.001) were also recorded between meat from the two groups with regard to juiciness and overall difference. The meat of lambs from L1 has showed improved eating qualities, resulting in a more juicy and tender meat, in which the specific lamb taste was attenuated.

References

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Andrew N. Thompson,1,* Elise Bowen,1 John Keiller,2 Don Pegler,3 Gavin Kearney,4 and Cesar A. Rosales-Nieto5.

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Published

2023-07-21

Issue

Section

Technologies Applied in Animal Husbandry