Effects of weaning age and weight on lamb growth rate of Morada Nova breed raised in a tropical extensive production system

The aim of this research were to study the effect of weaning age and weight on post-growing rate (PWG) and to estimate the optimal weaning age (WA) and weight (WW) of Morada Nova-white variety breed lambs raised under extensive system conditions. A total of 31 male and female lambs were evaluated, b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ciência rural 2008-06, Vol.38 (3), p.784-788
Main Authors: Selaive -Villarroel, Arturo Bernardo, Maciel, Marcus Brocardo, Oliveira, Nelson Manzoni de
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AGRONOMY
hair lamb
management
sheep
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Summary:The aim of this research were to study the effect of weaning age and weight on post-growing rate (PWG) and to estimate the optimal weaning age (WA) and weight (WW) of Morada Nova-white variety breed lambs raised under extensive system conditions. A total of 31 male and female lambs were evaluated, being 19 lambs born in April/May 2001 and 12 lambs born in February/March 2002. Lambs were distributed in the following treatments at weaning: 1) weaning age = T1: weaned at 60 days; T2: weaned at 75 days; T3: weaned at 90 days, and 2) weaning weight = T1: weaned with 9 to 10.4kg weigth; T2: weaned with 10.5 to 12.4kg weight and T3: weaned with above 12.5kg weight. The PWG was recorded through successive weightings done every fourteen days from weaning to 180 days of age. Data were analysed through a statistical model that included age and weight at weaning, sex and year of birth as fixed effects. Lambs weaned with 60, 75 and 90 days of age showed non-significant differences (P>0.05) on PWG. However, WW had a significant influence (P
ISSN:0103-8478
1678-4596
0103-8478
1678-4596
DOI:10.1590/S0103-84782008000300030