engleski

Production performance of crossbred male lambs in the Mediterranean region of Croatia

Crossbreeding between indigenous Istrian and imported East Friesian sheep has been undertaken in order to improve sheep production in the Mediterranean region of Croatia. The study is based on data from 832 lambings and 1054 crossbred lambs. The lambs were weaned at the age of 42 days and after that a fattening period followed until the age of 77 days when the lambs were slaughtered. Data on growth performance, litter size and mortality of male lambs are reported. Litter size averaged 1.25 lambs born and 1.10 lambs born alive. Lambs weighted 4.77 kg at birth, 14.14 kg at weaning (42 days) and 25.66 kg at slaughter (77 days). The month of lambing significantly influenced lamb mortality (p < 0.05). There was a significant effect by milk production level on the growth performance of lambs. The established results indicate further improvement in lamb meat production as the result of the program of the genetic creation of domestic Croatian dairy sheep that started in the late 1980s.

East Friesian sheep; Istrian sheep; lamb; Mediterranean; production

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