Effects of genotype and some non-genetic factors on pre-weaning growth and survival of crossbred lambs from alternating crosses ofOuled Djellal and D'man sheep

MOHAMED  ADAOURI; KAHINA  SEBKHI; SADDEK  TRIKI; MOHAMED  LEBIED; ABDERRAZEK  HOUARI; AFAF  BOURADA; LYES  SEBBAGH

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i6.173019

Authors

MOHAMED ADAOURI National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria, El-Harrach 16200 Algiers, Algeria
KAHINA SEBKHI National High School of Agronomy (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria
SADDEK TRIKI National High School of Agronomy (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria
MOHAMED LEBIED Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria
ABDERRAZEK HOUARI Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria
AFAF BOURADA Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria
LYES SEBBAGH Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i6.173019

Keywords:

Algeria, Genetic improvement, Growth performance, Local breed, Sheep

Abstract

The study evaluated the association of genotype and selected non-genetic factors with pre- weaning growth and survival of crossbred lambs produced from Ouled Djellal (OD) and D'man (D). Data consisted of 314 records of crossbred lambs born between 2013 and 2021, including 127 lambs of the first generation (G1: 50% OD, 50% D), 87 lambs of the second generation (G2: 75% OD, 25% D), and 100 lambs of the third generation (G3: 37.5% OD, 62.5% D). Growth was monitored from birth to weaning (90 days). Lambs of G2 showed superior growth performance, with an average weight of 21.17 ± 0.43 kg at 90 days compared to 15.20 ± 0.40 kg (G1) and 15.97 ± 0.39 kg (G3), and surpassing values reported for pure OD (16.92 kg) and D (17.39 kg) lambs. Average daily gain (ADG 0-90 days) was 195.15 ± 4.50 g/day for G2, higher than G1 (127.09 ± 4.22 g/day) and G3 (136.78 ± 4.03 g/day), also exceeding purebred values. Non-genetic factors positively influencing performance included lambing year (2016– 2018), male sex, single birth, parity (primiparous) and maternal body condition score (2–3.5). However, genotype was confounded with year, making it difficult to fully disentangle the effects of genotype, year, management, and environmental conditions. The results also showed that lamb viability at birth and at weaning was mainly influenced by birth type, genotype, and, depending on the stage considered, by birth year and the dams’ body condition. These results suggest that the G2 group performed best under the present flock conditions; however, validation across additional years, flocks and later generations is needed before recommending a breeding strategy or synthetic breed development.

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