Factors affecting production records of lambs from a flock of East African Blackhead sheep

Trail, J.C.M. and Sacker, G.D. Factors affecting production records of lambs from a flock of East African Blackhead sheep. Journal of Agricultural Science 66: 87-91.

The effects of age of ewe, and year, sex, and year, sex and type of birth of lambs on lamb weights between birth and weaning were measured and appropriate correction factors estimated in a flock of east African Blackhead sheep maintained over an 11-year period in Western Uganda. These correction factors were then used to examine the effects of a long dry season at different stages of lamb growth. On birth weights the effects of sex ranged from 0.25 lb to 0.40 lb; twinning had 1.0 lb and gimmer’s lamb had 0.5lb less weight. On 2-months weights the corresponding adjustments were 0.2 lb. –1.4 lb.; 5.1 lb and 1.7 lb. On weaning weights the adjust,ments were 0.3 lb. – 2.9 lb.; 6.0 lb and 2.6 lb. A long dry season during late pregnancy did not appear to affect lamb birth-weights and a dry season between 2 months and 5 months of age did not affect lamb-weaning weights. However, a dry season during the main suckling period from birth to 2 months of age significantly lowered lamb weights at 2 months of age.