EVALUATION OF REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN TRANSILVANIAN MERINOS SHEEP BASED ON REPRODUCTIVE INDEXES

Abstract

The study was carried on 1425 ewes Transilvanian Merinos sheep in the farm belonging to SC Sinnagro SA, Timis country, regarding the reproduction during breeding season and in extra- season. The investigation revealed that these sheep held in good condition do express estrus (88%) during spring-summer (May-June) and are lambing during autumn (82%) with a lower prolificacy (109%). During fall, almost all sheep (98%) displayed estrus, lambing in a proportion of 94,8%, with a prolificacy of 127,1%. The statistical analysis emphasized that all reproductive indexes are higher (p<0.01) subsequent to breeding during normal season, compared to the extra-season, excepting fertility. These findings suggest that Transilvanian Merinos sheep are suitable for generating autumn lambs, for which does exists a great demand abroad.

Keywords

• reproduction
• reproductive indexes
• sheep
• transilvanian merinos