Author:
Mitchell Linda M,King Margaret E
Abstract
Ovulation rate in the ewe is positively related to body condition score (Gunn, Doney and Smith, 1979). For optimum performance it has been recommended that ewes should be in body condition score 3.5 at mating (MLC. 1981). However excessive fatness (body condition score 3.5 and above) has been associated with a reduction in lambing performance as a consequence of increased embryo mortality (Rhind, Gunn, Doney and Leslie. 1984).Previous studies at the Scottish Agricultural College-Aberdeen (King and Mitchell. 1990) have demonstrated superior reproductive performance for twenty month old female breeding sheep (gimmers) which have bred successfully as ewe lambs. The objective of the present study was to investigate the combined effect of body condition and breeding history (bred or unbred at eight months of age) on fecundity.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Reference4 articles.
1. Meal and Livesiock Commission (1981). Feeding the Ewe. Sheep Improvement Services. Meat and Livestock Commission, Winterhill House. Snowdon Drive. Millou Keynes. MK6 1AX.
2. A note on the reproductive performance of greyface ewes in moderately fat and very fat condition at mating
3. King M.E. and Mitchell L.M. (1990). Comparative performance of Mule ewes hred al 6 or 18 months of age. In New Developments in Sheep Production. Occasional Publication of the British Society of Animal Production. No. 14.
4. The effect of time of mating on ovulation rate and potential lambing rate of Greyface ewes