Factors affecting birth weights of Awassi lambs

Abstract

The Awassi flock raised at the Abu-Ghraib Experiment Station over the years 1960-64 produced 923 single and 88 twin births. The environmental factors affecting birth weight, and the repeatability of birth weight were investigated.Sex of lamb, type of birth, weight of dam, time and year of lambing were found to have significant effects on the birth weight of Awassi lambs. Male and single lambs were heavier at birth than female and twin lambs respectively. Ewes weighing between 126 and 135 lb. produced the heaviest lambs at birth. Lambs born earlier and later in the lambing season were heavier than lambs dropped in midseason.