Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of the breeding season, birth type and sex on growth and reproductive performances of sheep breeds

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study aimed at determining the effects of breed type, breeding season, sex and type of birth on the growth and reproductive traits of lambs. Two ewe breed types (Gellaper and Swakara) and four ram breed types (Damara, Dorper, GeDo and Swakara) were used. Two lambing seasons, spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), were considered. Gellaper-based lambs born in autumn had higher (P < 0.05) mean birth weight (4.58 kg) compared to spring-born lambs (3.43 kg). Ram lambs were heavier (P < 0.05) than ewe lambs at weaning and post-weaning age. Singletons were heavier than twins (P < 0.05) at birth, weaning and breeding. Single and autumn-born lambs had a higher average daily gain (ADG) than spring-born lambs (P < 0.05). Ram lambs had a higher pre-weaning and overall ADG (P < 0.05) compared with ewe lambs. Swakara-based lambs gained more from weaning to mating compared to Gellaper-based lambs (P < 0.05). The conception, lambing and annual reproductive rate were all influenced by breed type and season (P < 0.05). Swakara-based lambs had higher reproductive capabilities, while Gellaper-based lambs grew faster but take longer to breed type; autumn lambing gave rise to low birth weights but heavier lambs at weaning and post-weaning, hence suitable for mutton production.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data will be made available on request through the corresponding author.

References

  • Abebe, A.S., Alemayehu, K., Johansson,A.M., Gizaw, S., 2020. Breeding practices and trait preferences of smallholder farmers for indigenous sheep in the northwest highlands of Ethiopia : Inputs to design a breeding program. PLoS ONE. 1–18. e0233040https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233040

  • Asmare, S., Alemayehu, K., Abegaz, S., Haile, A., 2021. On-farm evaluation of growth and reproductive performances of Washera and Gumuz sheep in northwestern Ethiopia: Basics for setting up breeding objectives / goals. PLoS ONE 16(7): e02549241–11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254924

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatti, M.A., Eik, L.O., Steinheim, G., Ådnøy, T., Horneland, R., Wynn, P., Hopkins, D.L., Asheim, L.J., 2020. Rangeland grazing strategies to lower the dependency on imported concentrates in Norwegian sheep meat production. Sustain. 12, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatti, M.A., Williams, T., Hopkins, D.L., Asheim, L.J., Steinheim, G., Campbell, M., Eik, L.O., Wynn, P.C., Ådnøy, T., 2019. Adapting seasonal sheep production to year-round fresh meat and halal market in Norway. Sustain. 11. 1554https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castillo, D.A., Gaitán, J.J., Villagra, E.S., 2021. Direct and indirect effects of climate and vegetation on sheep production across Patagonian rangelands (Argentina). Ecol. Indic. 124107417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107417

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chedid, M., Jaber, L.S., Giger-Reverdin, S., Duvaux-Ponter, C., Hamadeh, S.K., 2014. Review: Water stress in sheep raised under arid conditions. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94, 243–257. https://doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2013-188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De, K., Kumar, D., Sethi, D., Gulyani, R., Mohammed, S., Naqvi, K., 2015. Estrus synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination in sheep under field conditions of a semi-arid tropical region. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 47, 469–472 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-014-0735-x

  • Dixit, S.P., Dhillon, J.S., Singh, G., 2001. Genetic and non-genetic parameter estimates for growth traits of bharat merino lambs. Small Rumin. Res. 42, 101–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4488(01)00231-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flinn, T., Kleemann, D.O., Swinbourne, A.M., Kelly, J.M., Weaver, A.C., Walker, S.K., Gatford, K.L., Kind, K.L., van Wettere, W.H.E.J., 2020. Neonatal lamb mortality: major risk factors and the potential ameliorative role of melatonin. J. Anim. Sci. Biotechnol. 11, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-020-00510-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fozi, M.A., Bradford, H.L., Notter, D.R., 2020. Direct and correlated responses to selection for autumn lambing in sheep. Genet. Sel. Evol. 52:56, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-020-00577-z

  • Gavojdian, D., Budai, C., Cziszter, L.T., Csizmar, N., Javor, A., Kusza, S., 2015. Reproduction Efficiency and Health Traits in Dorper , White Dorper , and Tsigai Sheep Breeds under Temperate European Conditions. Asian Australas. J. Anim. Sci. 28, 599–603.

  • Gavojdian, D., Cziszter, L.T., Pacala, N., Sauer, M., 2013. Productive and reproductive performance of dorper and its crossbreds under a romanian semi-intensive management system. South African J. Anim. Sci. 43, 219–228. https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v43i2.12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Getachew, T., Haile, A., Tibbo, M., Sharma, A.K., Sölkner, J., Wurzinger, M., 2010. Herd management and breeding practices of sheepowners in a mixed crop-livestock and a pastoral system of ethiopia. African J. Agric. Res. 5, 685–691.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gó Mez-Brunet, A., Santiago-Moreno, J., Del Campo, A., Malpaux, B., Chemineau, P., Tortonese, D.J., Gonzalez-Bulnes, A., Ló Pez-Sebastián, A., 2008. Endogenous Circannual Cycles of Ovarian Activity and Changes in Prolactin and Melatonin Secretion in Wild and Domestic Female Sheep Maintained under a Long-Day Photoperiod 1. Biol. Reprod. 78, 552–562. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.107.064394

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gómez, A., Santiago, J., Toledano, A., López, A., 2012. Reproductive seasonality and its control in spanish sheep and goats. Trop. Subtrop. Agroecosystems 15, 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood, P., Clayton, E., Bell, A., 2017. Developmental programming and beef production. Anim. Front. 7, 38–47. https://doi.org/10.2527/af.2017-0127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gül, S., Keskin, M., Biçer, O., Gündüz, Z., Behrem, S., 2020. Effects of different lambing season on some reproductive characteristics of ewes and growth performance of lambs in Awassi sheep. Livest. Studies, 60, 32–36. https://doi.org/10.46897/lahaed.779729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, M.L., Reed, S.A., Pillai, S.M., Jones, A.K., McFadden, K.K., Zinn, S.A., Govoni, K.E., 2017. Physiology and endocrinology symposium: The effects of poor maternal nutrition during gestation on offspring postnatal growth and metabolism. J. Anim. Sci. 95, 2222–2232. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas2016.1229

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kandiwa, E., Mushonga, B., Madzingira, O., Samkange, A., Bishi, A., Tuaandi, D., 2019. Characterization of Oestrus Cycles in Namibian Swakara and Damara Sheep through Determination of Circannual Plasma Progesterone Levels. J. Vet. Medicine pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5320718

  • Kandiwa, E., Nguarambuka, U., Chitate, F., Samkange, A., Madzingira, O., Mbiri, P., Bishi, A.S., Mushonga, B., 2020. Production performance of sheep and goat breeds at a farm in a semi-arid region of Namibia. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. 52, 2621–2629. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02283-w

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karatas, A., Gokturk, S., Savas, T., 2017. An analysis on lambing season of tahirova sheep farms in Çanakkale. 2nd International Balakan Agriculural Congress 16 -18 May, Namik Kemal University, Turkey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karthik, D., Suresh, J., Ravindra Reddy, Y., Sharma, G.R.K., Ramana, J. V., Gangaraju, G., Pradeep Kumar Reddy, Y., Yasaswini, D., Adegbeye, M.J., Ravi Kanth Reddy, P., 2021. Farming systems in sheep rearing: Impact on growth and reproductive performance, nutrient digestibility, disease incidence and heat stress indices. PLoS One 16, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244922

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kleemann, D.O., Kelly, J.M., Arney, L.J., Len, J., Tilbrook, A.J., Walker, S.K., 2021. Sexual behaviour, semen quality and fertility of young Border Leicester rams administered melatonin during spring. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 231, 106804. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106804

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bansal, G.K., Kumar, V., Nagda, R.K., HadaKumar, R., 2022. Factors affecting average daily gain in Sonadi sheep. Indian J. Small Rum. 28(1), 20–23 https://doi.org/10.5958/0973-9718.2022.00020.4

  • Lakew, M., Haile-melekot, M., Mekuriaw, G., Abreha, S., 2014. Reproductive performance and mortality rate in local and Dorper × Local crossbred sheep following controlled breeding in Ethiopia. Open J. Anim. Scie. 4, 278–284. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2014.45035

  • Loureiro, M.F.P., Pain, S.J., Kenyon, P.R., Blair, H.T., 2016. Reproductive performance of singleton and twin female offspring born to ewe-lamb dams and mature adult dams. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 2016.76, 151–154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loos, R.J.F., Derom, C., Eeckels, R., Derom, R., Vlietinck, R., 2001. Length of gestation and birthweight in dizygotic twins. Lancet 358, 560–561. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(01)05716-6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mirzaei, A., Mohebbi-Fani, M., Omidi, A., Boostani, A., Nazifi, S., Mahmoodian-Fard, H.R., Chahardahcherik, M., 2017. Progesterone concentration and lambing rate of Karakul ewes treated with prostaglandin and GnRH combined with the ram effect during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Theriogenology 100, 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.06.005

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Norouzian, M.A., 2015. Effects of lambing season , birth type and sex on early performance of lambs. New Zeal. J. Agric. Res. 58, 84–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288233.2014.944270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nsoso, S.J., Madimabe, M.J., 2003. A survey of Karakul sheep farmers in Southern Kalahari , Botswana:management practices and constraints to improving production 4, 23–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortavant, R., Bocquier, F., Pelletier, J., Ravault, J.P., Thimonier, J., Volland-Nail, P., 1988. Seasonality of reproduction in sheep and its control by photoperiod. Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 41, 69–86. https://doi.org/10.1071/BI9880069

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosov, A., Gootwine, E., 2013. Birth weight, and pre- and postweaning growth rates of lambs belonging to the Afec-Assaf strain and its crosses with the American Suffolk. Small Rumin. Res. 113, 58–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.02.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Safari, E., Fogarty, N.M., Hopkins, D.L., Greeff, J.C., Brien, F.D., Atkins, K.D., Mortimer, S.I., Taylor, P.J., Van Der Werf, J.H.J., 2008. Genetic correlations between ewe reproduction and carcass and meat quality traits in Merino sheep. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 125, 397–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2008.00745.x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salem, H. Ben, Smith, T., 2008. Feeding strategies to increase small ruminant production in dry environments. Small Rumin. Res. 77, 174–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.03.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Davila, F., Bernal-Barragan, H., Vazquez-Armijo, J.F., López-Villalobos, N., Ledezma-Torres, R.A., Grizelj, J., Brenner, E.G., Vasquez, N.A., Palomera, C.L., 2020. Annual variation in reproductive parameters and sexual behaviour of Saint Croix rams in a semi-desert region in Mexico. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 48, 499–506. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2020.1830778

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena, V.K., De, K., Kumar, D., Naqvi, S.M.K., Krishnaswamy, N., Tiwari, A.K., 2015. Induction of ovulation in anestrus ewes using a dopamine receptor antagonist. Theriogenology 84, 1362–1366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.07.020

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simasiku, L., Charamba, V., Lutaaya, E., 2019. Modeling and comparison of the maturing rates of Damara , Dorper and Swakara sheep at Neudamm Farm Welwitschia . Int. J. Agric. Scie.48, 41–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Namwandi, R., Thawana, S.B., 2008. The development of the gellapper sheep breed at gellap-ost research station Spotlight on Agriculture. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Windhoek, Namibia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A.N., Bowen, E., Keiller, J., Pegler, D., Kearney, G., Rosales-Nieto, C.A., 2021. The number of offspring weaned from ewe lambs is affected differently by liveweight and age at breeding. Animals 11, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11092733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wassie, T., Liu, G., Jiang, X., Tesema, B., Han, Y., 2019. Immunization against Kisspeptin-54 perturb hypothalamic, pituitar, testicular signaling pathway in ram lambs. Theriogenology. 125, 193–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.10.029

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Welday, K., Urge, M., Abegaz, S., 2019. Sheep production systems and breeding practices for selected zones of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Open J. Anim. Sci. 09, 135–150. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2019.91012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz, O., Denk, H., Bayram, D., 2007. Effects of lambing season, sex and birth type on growth performance in Norduz lambs. Small Rumin. Res. 68, 336–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.11.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaher, H.A., Alawaash, S.A., Swelum, A.A., 2020. Effects of season and breed on the reproductive performance of sheep. J. Anim. Reprod. Biotechnol. 35, 149–154. https://doi.org/10.12750/jarb.35.2.149

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries Great Zimbabwe University, P Bag, 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

    Soul Washaya & Clarice Princes Mudzengi

  2. Kalahari Research Station RFWG+WPR, Omaseb, Namibia

    Uaipo Ngorio

Authors
  1. Soul Washaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Uaipo Ngorio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Clarice Princes Mudzengi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All the authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. Material preparation and data analysis were performed by Soul Washaya, and Clarice Princes Mudzengi. The first draft of the manuscript and data collection were done by Uaipo Ngorio. The data was cleaned and rearranged by Washaya Dorine D., who also reviewed and critically revised the manuscript, and all the authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soul Washaya.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Washaya, S., Ngorio, U. & Mudzengi , C.P. Effects of the breeding season, birth type and sex on growth and reproductive performances of sheep breeds. Trop Anim Health Prod 55, 188 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03575-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03575-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation