Effect of genotype and some non-genetic factors on growth performace and survival of lambs from alternating genetic cross between two local sheep breeds, Ouled Djellal and D'man (G1, G2 and G3)

Mohamed Adaouri; Kahina  Sebkhi; Saddek  Triki; Mohamed Lebied; Abderrazek  Houari; Afaf  Bourada

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i6.173019

Authors

Dr. Adaouri Mohamed National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA)
Mrs. Sebkhi Kahina National High School of Agronomy (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria
Pr. Triki Saddek National High School of Agronomy (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria.
Mr. Lebied Mohamed Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria
Mr. Houari Abderrazek Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria
Mrs. Bourada Afaf Technical Institute of breading (ITElv), Algiers, Algeria.

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

Keywords:

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

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of genotype and selected non-genetic factors on growth performance and survival of lambs from alternating crosses between two indigenous Algerian sheep breeds: 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). Survival rates at weaning were higher in G2 (100 ± 0%) and G3 (97.83 ± 1.53%) than in purebreds OD (94%) and D (90.4%). Lambs of G2 also showed superior growth performance, with an average weight of 20.27 ± 0.53 kg at 90 days compared to 16.84 ± 0.39 kg (G1) and 16.36 ± 0.41 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 185.15 ± 5.57 g/day for G2, higher than G1 (143.1 ± 3.92 g/day) and G3 (140.51 ± 4.04 g/day), also exceeding purebred values. Non-genetic factors positively influencing performance included lambing year (2016–2018), male sex, single birth, and maternal body condition score (3–3.5). This study suggests that OD breed is a valuable genetic resource for crossbreeding to improve meat production and synthesizing a new breed through alternating crosses with D breed.

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Author Biographies

Dr. Adaouri Mohamed, National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria (INRAA)

Dr. Adaouri Mohamed currently works at the Animal Production Research Division of the National Institute of Agronomic Research of Algeria. Mohamed does research in animal science, agronomy, food science and genetics.
Mrs. Sebkhi Kahina, National High School of Agronomy (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria

Research Laboratory of Animal Production
Pr. Triki Saddek, National High School of Agronomy (ENSA), Algiers, Algeria.

Research Laboratory of Animal Production.

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