Some components of reproductive performance of sheep in Victoria

Abstract

Estimates are given of the relative contribution of each component of reproductive performance - the relative number of ewes having no, one, or two lambs - in the effect of age on the number of lambs born per ewe joined for Merino and Corriedale sheep in Victoria. For Merinos, the proportion of ewes giving birth to more than one lamb increased by 0.05 from ages 3 to 6, followed by a decline of 0.02 at age 8. For Corriedales, this proportion increased by 0.06 from age 3 to age 6. The proportion of ewes having no lamb was greater at the maiden lambing (age 3, Merinos; age 2, Corriedales) than at any other age. Estimates of the effect of age on these components are used to assess the reproductive performance of flocks of different age structures.