Growth performance of purebred Dorset Horn sheep in Malaysia

S. Abdul Wahid

Abstrac

A study was conducted at the Institut Haiwan Keluang,Johore, to determine the growth performance of locally born progeny of purebred Dorset Horn (DH) sheep.Fifty-eight ewesa gedl 8 months were mated to threes ires of the same breed. Data on growth performance of the progenies were collected over four years( 1982-1985). The DH was found to perform below that
reported in temperate countries and thus not suitablef or purebreeding in Malaysia. The purebred progeny weighed only 3.24 kg at birth and 30.69 kg at one year old. The wither height, body length and chest girth at one year old were 56.03,64.65a nd6 9.12c m respectively The preweaning and postweaninga verage daily gain were 121.2 2 g/day and 51.47 g/day respectively.

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