Effect of Age and Weight on Body Measurements and Blood Parameters of Awassi Ewes on Non-Breeding Season

Abstract

The study was conducted on eleven of the herd Awassi breed in Samarra (south of Salah Al-Deen province) on non-breeding season for the period from February and March, 2016 , including 66 ewes which were divided into two groups according to its age, yearling ewes group Ye (n / 34 age 1- 1.5 years) and mature ewes Me (n / 32 , age 3-5 years). Each group was divided by weight factor into two subgroups, Yearling ewes lightweight Yel (41 - 50 kg , n / 20) and Yearling ewes heavy weight Yeh (41- 50 kg , n / 14), mature ewes lightweight Mel (30 - 40 kg , n / 14) and mature ewes heavy weight Meh (41 - 50 kg, number / 18). The study aimed to observe the influence of the age and weight of Awassi ewes on body measurements and blood parameters on non-breeding season. Results showed significant increase (P≤0.05) in body measurements body length, heart girth, abdomen circumference, and height abdomen in Yeh and Meh. Significant increase (P≤0.05) in PCV, Hb and MCH on Yeh, RBC were significant increase (P≤0.05) in Yel and Meh . Overall average of Me record significant increase (P≤0.05) in body length, heart girth, as well as elbow height in Ye . Negative correlation between RBC and head length -0.66, while showed positive correlations with height abdomen, positive correlation as happened between elbow height and PCV 0.63. Conclude from this study that high weight of mature ewes or yearling ewe have had a significant effect on most of body measurements and blood parameter.