Cross breeding trials with sheep-effect of dam factors

The data for this analysis was obtained from the Government livestock farm at Wirawila. The objectives of the study were to determine firstly, the performance of the Wiltshire Horn ×Local (WL) sires crossed to Bikaneri (B) and Wiltshire Horn - Local × Bikaneri (WLB) ewes, based on the birth weight, 3 –month and 6 -month body weights of their cross bred progeny. Secondly, the effect of the breed of ewe, age of ewe, lambs' year of birth and sex of lamb on birth,, 3 and 6 -month weight was analysed. Two analytical models were used for the purpose. The WL sires combined better with WLB ewes and their cross bred progeny were significantly heavier than the WL × B cross breds at all ages. One model showed that the breed of ewe, lamb’s year of birth and sex of lamb had a significant effect on birth. 3 and 6-month body weights. In the other model, breed of ewe was significant only for 3 and 6-month weight while sex of lamb was significant at all ages.