IMPACT OF BODY CONDITION SCORE ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BARKI SHEEP UNDER SEMI INTENSIVE PRODUCTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The study focused attention on the relationships between body condition score (BCS) at mating and the reproductive performance of Barki ewes. A number of 541 ewes were mated naturally in autumn for three consecutive years. The flock was managed under a semi-intensive production system, with feeding based on natural pasture grazing over the mating period. Grain flushing was given to the ewes before mating. A five category BCS scale was used to classify ewes one week before joining Average values for BCS at mating were 3.32, fertility, 83 % and prolificacy, 1.03. Year were highly significant (P<.0.01) for body weight but not significant for fertility and prolificacy. Age of dam had a significant effect on weight of dam, fertility and prolificacy. Significant differences were observed for BSC effects on fertility, prolificacy and weight of ewe (P<0.05 to P<0.l), which gave highest values between BCS of (3) and (4) categories. In conclusion, the BCS at mating seemed to affect fertility more than prolificacy.