The performance of Finn-Dorset sheep allowed to mate four times in two years

Abstract

SUMMARYFinn-Dorset females were allowed to mate on four occasions during a period of 2 years. Those over 2 years old at the start of the experiment carried an average of three pregnancies giving birth to an average of 5·8 lambs per ewe. The proportion of ewes lambing was reduced from 93 to 32% by the occurrence of lambing 6 months previously, but litter size was unaffected either by this or by lactation at the time of mating. The mean live weight of male lambs reared as twins was 23·5 kg at 12 weeks, and 36·7 kg at slaughter (mean age 19·7 weeks, killing-out percentage 46·4%).