Growth characteristics of intensive lambs finishing Merino Branco crosses

Authors

  • João Bibe Instituto Politécnico de Santarém
  • Paulo Pardal Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, Portugal Unidade de Investigação do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, Portugal Centro de Investigação em Qualidade de Vida, Portugal http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1277-8384

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25746/ruiips.v8.i3.21332

Keywords:

ADG, Growth, Weight / age effect at weaning, Regression equations, Sheep

Abstract

The parameterization of the productive performance of lambs in intensive fattening, under the specific conditions of each farm, seems essential for the decision to make the purchase weight of the lamb, in order to maximize profit. Data from 293 male lambs, Merino Branco crossed, in intensive fattening were analyzed. Lambs, weaned at different ages and weights, were distributed in three weight classes, ≥24kg, 18-24kg and ≤18kg, and followed for 90 days, having been fed with concentrated feed and straw. The individual weights of the animals were recorded at the beginning, at 15 and 90 days of testing, and the average daily gains (ADG) were calculated. The ADG were 0.26 ± 0.13 and 0.29 ± 0.09 kg, in periods 1-2 and 2-3, respectively. The weight class of the animals only significantly influenced the weight at the end of the test. The determined regression coefficients showed a strong association between the initial weight and the subsequent weights observed.

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Published

2020-10-31

How to Cite

Bibe, J., & Pardal, P. (2020). Growth characteristics of intensive lambs finishing Merino Branco crosses. Revista Da UI_IPSantarém, 8(3), 70–77. https://doi.org/10.25746/ruiips.v8.i3.21332

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020): How can Agriculture position itself for a sustainable ecological transition?

Section

Papers

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