Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 2
Written by Genoveva STAYKOVA, Margarit ILIEV, Todor TSONEV
The aim of the research was to study the growth intensity of lambs of different sexes and types of birth from the Copper-Red Shumen sheep breed. Subject of the research were 30 lambs born during the 2024 lambing season. Four (4) groups of lambs were formed, equalized according to the method of analogues by type of birth (singles, twins), gender (male, female) and age. Live weight was recorded at birth, 10 days, 30 days, 70 days and 90 days. It has been established that the Copper-Red Shumen sheep breed is characterized by a good growth intensity of lambs until weaning. The average live weight at birth for both sexes was close in values, after which female lambs reached an average of 21.171 kg and male lambs – 25.120 kg at 90 days. The average daily gain of lambs ranged from 0.162 kg to 0.203 kg for females by periods and from 0.184 kg to 0.253 kg for male lambs. Female lambs had the highest gain in the period 30-70 days, and male lambs during the 70-90 days. The results indicate that the Copper-Red Shumen breed has good potential for the production of quality lamb meat.
[Read full article] [Citation]
