Authors : Reza Mangali Kahtuei , Ahmad Zare Shahneh and Mohammad Moradi Sharebabak
Abstract: Lactation performance of 3, 5 and 6-year-old ewes from 55 Kermani fat-tailed sheep (a native breed in Iran); giving birth to single lamb and their suckling lamb growth was studied. Milk production during the suckling period (14 weeks) was determined by a combined lamb-suckling and hand milking and daily milking from weaning to end of lactation. Average lactation length was 15 weeks (103�1 days). Daily milk yield and total milk yield during the suckling and post-weaning periods averaged 610 g and 62 kg, respectively. Udder dimensions were measured at 2 weeks parturition. The effect of ewe age, birth weight of lamb, sex, udder depth and width was significant on milk yield (p<0.01). Udder depth (r = 0.38) and udder circumference (r = 0.38) at 2 weeks postpartum had the highest correlation (p<0.01) with lactation yield. Effect of ewe age and sex of lamb also was significant on daily gain and weaning weight. The lambs of 6-year-old ewes have the highest growth but the lambs of 3 year old ewes had the lowest growth. It was concluded that milk yield and lamb growth in this breed are somehow the same as the other Iranian breeds, that can be because of genetically and natural conditions.
Reza Mangali Kahtuei , Ahmad Zare Shahneh and Mohammad Moradi Sharebabak , 2008. Lactation Performance and Suckling Lamb Growth of Kermani Fat-Tailed Ewe. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 1575-1578.