Ewe productivity efficiency of single and multiple lambs bearing of Garole, Malpura and their crossbred ewes

Abstract

Comparative evaluation of ewes of Garole x Malpura (GM) halfbreds bearing single, twin and triplet lambs with the contemporary Malpura and Garole was made in this study to decide future breeding and selection strategy. Data collected on ewe productive efficiency of 561 Malpura, 227 Garole and 211 of GM ewes maintained at the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, during year 2000 to 2004 were used for present study. The GM ewes bearing twin and triplet lambs weaned 2.71 and 12.76% more litter weight over Malpura and at 12 months of age corresponding figures were 19.83 and 20.94, respectively. The ewe productivity of GM bearing twin and triplet lambs in terms of per kg body weight of ewe was 0.630 and 0.651 kg at weaning and 1.414 and 1.346 kg at 12 months of age, respectively, while litter weight harvested from Malpura ewes per kg body weight of ewe at weaning and 12 months of age was 0.444 and 0.857 kg respectively. The litter size of ewes bearing twin and triplet lambs was 1.98 and 2.71 at birth, respectively, and 1.72 and 2.14 at weaning. The results indicated that the ewes bearing twins and triplets are more efficient than native Malpura sheep. The twin lambs showed good survival under the harsh climatic conditions prevailing in the semiarid region of Rajasthan.