Reproduction and Growth Performance of the Algerian Tazegzawt Sheep Breed

Abstract

Three zootechnical criteria: fertility, prolificacy and fecundity were used to evaluate reproductive performance of 23 and 27 multiparous Tazegzawt ewes in experimental station INRAA of Bejaia during autumn mating in 2013 and 2014. A total of 52 lambs were subject to measure the average daily gain at different ages (0, 10, 30, 70, 90 and 180 days) in spring of 2013 and 2014. Some non-genetic factors (sex and type of birth of lambs) were used to study their influencing in dairy production. The results indicated that, the fertility rate was 84.22% and the prolificacy rate was higher than 150%. Fecundity rate seemed interesting in Tazegzawt breed (an average more than 126%). The mean bodyweight (W) at birth was 4.72±0.92kg; 7.22±1.27kg at 10 days, 12.17±2.18kgat 30 days, 21.63±3.02kg at 70 days and 25.80±3.69kg at 90 days of age, the Average Daily Gain (ADGs) estimates for weight at 10 days (ADGs0-10) was 247.48±72.45g/d and decreases with age to reach 208.64±86.20g/d in ADGs70-90. In addition, the highest positive significant correlation (r=0.92, p<0.01) was observed between W30 and ADGs0-30.The growth rate was not affected by sex. However; the influence of birth type on growth performances of lambs during the 30 days showed a superiority of singles over twins (p<0.05). It seems that Tazegzawt sheep is one of the most prolific local breed, it shows a good growth potential. This breed has very promising potentialities that can be exploited to improve mutton meat production in Algeria.