Growth Performance Evaluation in F1 Hampshire Down x Turcana Lambs Reared in Low Input Systems

Abstract

Aim of the study was to evaluate growth performance of F1 Hampshire Down x Turcana (HDT) lambs compared to purebreed Turcana (TU) lambs, reared in Low Input systems. Experiments were carried out in a commercial farm from Timis county, on a number of 37 crossbreed F1 HDT lambs, the control group was of 33 purebreed Turcana lambs, raised in the same conditions. Birth weight of both HDT and TU lambs, weight at 28 days and weight at 8 months, in both male and female lambs was registered. Lambs were raised with their dams on pastures, with no concentrates, until the age of 3 months. After weaning, lambs were separated according to their sex, into two flocks. Commercialization had place at the age of 8 months for male lambs and, ewe lambs were kept for breeding purposes. Body weight of HDT group was on average of 39.31 kg in HDT and of 37.00 kg in TU group (p<0.01).

Keywords

• growth performance
• hampshire down
• low input system
• turcana breed