effect of breeding hoggets on lifetime performance

• Published in: New Zealand journal of agricultural research Vol. 54; no. 4; pp. 321 - 330
• Main Authors: Kenyon, PR, van der Linden, DS, West, DM, Morris, ST
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: body weight; Breeding; ewe lamb; Ewes; hogget; hoggets; lifetime performance; longevity; Productivity; reproduction; reproductive performance; Sheep
• ISSN: 1175-8775; 0028-8233; 1175-8775
• DOI: 10.1080/00288233.2011.611148

The reported study involved mature ewes that had either been presented for breeding and had lambed as a hogget (MP), had been presented for breeding as a hogget but did not become pregnant (MNP) or were not presented for breeding as a hogget (NM). Their subsequent performance as mature ewes was examined. Although breeding as a hogget reduced (P <0.05) two-tooth mating live weight and condition score in subsequent years, the differences were either smaller or not present at all (P>0.05). Breeding as a hogget increased (P<0.05) the number of foetuses per ewe lifetime (8.2±0.08, 7.0±0.13 and 7.1±0.12 for MP, MNP and NM respectively) but did not alter ewe (P>0.05) longevity. These results indicate that hogget breeding can be used as a management option to improve lifetime reproductive performance.