Productive features of sheep of the Bukovyna type of the Ascanian meat-wool breed with crossbred wool in the conditions of Bukovyna

Abstract

Goal. To highlight the results of research in the productivity indicators of sheep of the Bukovyna type of the Ascanian meat-wool breed. Methods. Zootechnical methods were used for a comprehensive assessment of animals during breeding — individual weighing, measuring the length of wool and its clip during spring clipping, and determining reproductive qualities by indicators of fertilization and polycarpic effect using primary zootechnical documentation. The milk yield of ewes for the first month of lactation was determined by the live weight gains of lambs using a coefficient of 5.4, and in the production of marketable milk — by the 3-time milking method. Biometric data processing was carried out using Excel 2003 software with statistical functions. Results. It was established that the animals have high indicators of milk, meat and wool productivity. The fertility of ewes reaches 94.3%, polycarpic effect — 131.2%, and the yield of lambs per 100 ewes — 124 heads. The live weight of breeding rams was 95.7 kg, ewes — 58 kg, which exceeded the minimum requirements for breeding animals by 16.4 and 10.3%, respectively. Lambs at birth were characterized by a strong constitution, were quite large, had high live weight, and average daily growth rates. Up to 96 kg of milk was obtained from one ewe during the milking period (128 days) with an average daily yield of 0.750 kg. Conclusions. Bukovyna-type animals were characterized by a large physique, strong constitution, had high indicators of reproductive ability and combined productivity. The high milk productivity of sheep of this breed allowed them to produce a sufficient amount of cheese per ewe to ensure the efficiency of keeping such animals on the farm. High indicators of viability and growth of lambs from birth to 12 months of age indicated high heritability of the main breeding traits in lambs. Further improvement of Bukovyna-type sheep, increasing their indicators of milk, meat and wool productivity requires the introduction of effective breeding methods.