REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF NILAGIRI AND SANDYNO EWES

摘要

The tupping percentage, lambing percentage, litter size, twinning percentage were worked out from the reproductive records (1993-2002) available at Sheep Breeding Research Station, Sandynallah, Nilgiris District. Nilagiri ewes were superior to Sandynoewes in tupping percentage (74.60 +- 0.74 vs. 60.30 +- 0.65 per cent), lambing percentage (92.10 +- 0.85 vs. 90.00 +- 0.83 per cent), litter size (1.12 +- 0.01 and 1.05 +- 0.01) and twinning percentage (12.51 and 6.43 per cent). The ewes from both breeds had higher reproductive performance during main breeding season than off breeding season (Tupping percentage: 92.10 +- 0.57 and 36.30 +- 0.85 per cent, lambing percentage: 94.60 +- 0.58 and 88.00 +- 1.20 per cent and litter size: 1.10 +- 0.01 and 1.07+- 0.01 in main breeding season and off breeding season respectively). The age of ewes at breeding had significant effect on tupping percentage, lambing percentage and litter size at birth. Ewes aged from 31/2 - 51/2 years performed at their best and thereproductive performance declined after 61/2 years.