Studies on Awassi sheep in Lebanon:I. Production traits of a flock

Abstract

SUMMARY1. The Awassi ewes reached an average live weight of 45 kg at two years of age and a mature weight of 57 kg at four years of age.2. The average yearly production of grease wool has been 2·2 kg.3. When rams were kept with the flock throughout the year approximately 60% of the lambings occurred during January–February. It declined rapidly during the following months and no lambs were born in July–August.4. Single lambs had an average birth weight of 4·6 kg for males and 4·3 for females. Twin lambs were about 20% lighter than singles. The corresponding weaning weight at two months of age was 17·9 and 16·8 for singles and 13·4 and 12·4 for twins.5. The twinning rate increased from 5% at first lambing to 30–35% at 6th lambing, when the ewes were about seven years old.