Pre-weaning growth parameters of Libyan Barbary lambs in three regions in northeast of Libya

Authors

  • F. AKRAIM Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University
  • I. M. Mahasan Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University
  • A. A. Mohamed Department of Animal Production
  • N. S. Bosaif Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54172/mjsc.v26i1.205

Keywords:

Barbary lambs, birth weight, daily gain, weaning weight, weaning age

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the pre-weaning growth parameters of Barbary lambs in small-holder farms in three regions in Libya located between 20.5-34 east and 32.1-32.7 north (Koroum Al-Khial, Al-Awsaita and Al-Abyar). The study was conducted during lambing season (1999-2000). Thirty six males and 36 females were randomly chosen from each of three flocks owned by farmers. Birth weights were 3.401 and 3.144 kg for males and females respectively, effect of sex was evident (P< 0.05). 

Pre-weaning daily gains were 0.183; 0.187 kg and 120 days adjusted weaning weights were 25.391; 25.623 kg for males and females respectively. There was no sex effect on these traits (P> 0.05). Mean of real weaning age was 101 days for lambs and a notable variability was found  in this trait. Birth weight in Koroum Al-Khial ( 3.081 kg) was lower than the other two regions (P< 0.05). Daily gain (0.209 kg), adjusted weaning weight (28.469 kg) were higher and real weaning age (80.079 days) was shorter in Al-Awsaita in comparison with the other two regions (P<0.05). This could be attributed to the availability of pasture and farm residues in this region. Growth parameters of lambs in small-holder farms were comparable to or above those obtained in research stations. Further studies on the management systems in small-holder farms are needed. 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ahtash, A., A. Magid, S. Khalifa and A. El Amir. 2006. Effect of docking on growth rate and carcass characteristics of Libyan Barbary sheep. Egyptian Journal of Sheep, Goat and Desert Animal Sciences. 1: 107-115.

Akraim, F., A. F. Magid, M. S. Rahal and A. A. Ahmed. 2009. The effect of urea-treated barley straw in ewe's diet on pre-weaning growth parameters of lambs. Archiva Zootechnica., 12: 71-75.

Assan, N. and S. M. Makuza. 2005. The effect of non-genetic factors on birth weight and weaning weight in three sheep breeds of Zimbabwe. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Sciences, 18 :151-157. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2005.151

Chermiti, A., A. Nefzaoui, E. Teller and M. Van Bell. 1992. The development of feeding strategies for improving ruminants productivity in areas of fluctuating nutrients supply through the use of nuclear and related techniques : Upgrading of straw and development of feeding systems based on straw. IAEA. Vienna, Austria.

Demirel, M., O. F. Kurbal, T. Aygün, S. Erdogan, Y. Bakici, A. Yilmaz and H. Ulker. 2004. Effects of different feeding levels during mating period on the reproductive performance of Norduz ewes and growth and survival rate of their lambs. J. Biol. Sci., 4 : 283-287. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3923/jbs.2004.283.287

Food and Agriculture Organisation. 2005. FAOSTAT, live animals, online at http://Faostat .fao.org/site/566/default.aspx.

Magid, A. F. and A. A. Zaied. 1992. The Libyan Barbary sheep. II. Growth and wool traits. Libyan J. Agr. 13 : 18-21.

Susic , V., V. Pavic, B. Mioc, I. Stokovic and A. A. Kabalin. 2005. Seasonal variations in lamb birth weight and mortality. Vet. Arhiv 75 : 375-381.

SYSTAT. 2000. version 10, SPPS Inc., Chicago, USA.

Talebi, M.A. 2002. Growth performance in LORI-BAKHTIARI lambs. 1. Estimation of non-genetic parameters. 7th World congress on genetics applied to livestock production, August 19-23, Montpellier, France.

Published

2011-12-31

How to Cite

AKRAIM, F. ., Mahasan, I. M. ., Mohamed, A. A. ., & Bosaif, N. S. . (2011). Pre-weaning growth parameters of Libyan Barbary lambs in three regions in northeast of Libya. Al-Mukhtar Journal of Sciences, 26(1), 159–167. https://doi.org/10.54172/mjsc.v26i1.205

Issue

Section

Research Articles

Categories