Postpartum estrus of Sumatra x St. Croix x Barbados Blackbelly and Sumatra x Barbados Blackbelly Cross Bred Sheep.

Abstract

Sheep are mainly raised in rural society because of their biological characteristic which support optimum production such as ability to reproduce throughout the year, short pregnancy period (150 days) and high litters. Postpartum estrus period is one of factors influenzing lambing interval beside pregnancy and breeding management. This research was conducted from October 9, 1999 -March 7, 2000 at Research Institute for Animal Production Experiment Station, West Cilebut, kecamatan Sukaraja, Bogor. Twenty four cross bred of Sumatra x Barbados Blackbelly (BC) sheep and 42 cross bred of Sumatra x St. Croix x Barbados Blackbelly sheep (M) were used for the study. Observed Variables were the period of postpartum estrus and other information like ewes age, live weight of ewes at lambing and estrus, litter size, total birth weight, and total feed consumption of ewes. Data were analyzed by General Linear Model according to SAS 1986.