Milk production and lamb growth in Dorset, Corriedale, and Romney sheep and carcass growth and development in lambs of the three breeds and crosses among them

Abstract

The supply of milk to young lambs determines whether they survive and grow satisfactorily (Moule, 1954; Wallace, 1948a; Marnicoat, 1949a). Therefore the potential of the ewe to produce milk is important in the evaluation of breeds for selection and crossbreeding programmes, particularly where these programmes are aimed at increasing fecundity. This is particularly relevant with the recent importation of highly fecund sheep such as the Finnish Landrace. Since the objectives of increasing fecundity are presently being met, larger number of surplus male lambs will become available from breeding flocks for the export market in the future. Several breeds and crosses have been evaluated for this market but to keep abreast with changed which might occur, new and less popular breeds, particularly those with potential use in crossbreeding programmes, should also be evaluated. The objectives of the present experiments were to measure the lactation yields of 3 parent breeds and to study the compositional growth and development of their pure and crossbred progeny until they were weaned.