Influence of housing models on reproductive performance of Saidi ewes, under Upper Egyptian conditions

Abstract

A total of 80 Saidi ewes were used approximately 2 years of age and had an average initial body weight (BW) of 40 ± 2.46 kg. Ewes were divided in two experiments 40 mature saidi ewes in each experiment, The first experiment was in mating season September, 2018 and the second experiment was in mate season January, 2019. Ewes in two experiments were randomly assigned to 4 groups raised under four housing model which was Double Roof Close, single roof close, semi open and open housing model. Ewes, mated in September, lambed during January. Ewes, mated in January, lambed during May. Ewes were kept in double roof and open model houses had higher Conception rate than the other houses in winter and summer seasons respectively. Ewes in semi open and open model in season's summer and winter had higher number of service per conception. The analysis of variance showed that housing models had no significant effect on average birth weight and total birth weight/ewe of lambs. However, lambs born in double roof and single roof housing model tended to have a higher average birth weight than born in semi open and open models.