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Effect of autumn shearing on breeding activity in Clun Forest ewe lambs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

Ó. R. Dýrmundsson  and
J. L. Lees
Ó. R. Dýrmundsson
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
J. L. Lees
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
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Summary

Seventy-two Clun Forest ewe lambs were randomly stratified into three groups (I, II and III) of 24 each according to date of birth and body weight at 6 October 1970. The ewe lambs of Groups I and II were shorn on 15 and 30 October, respectively, and Group III acted as unshorn control. The ewe lambs were reared under natural field conditions but supplementary feeding and shelter were provided during the winter months.

A large proportion (94%) of the ewe lambs attained puberty in their first year and differences between the three groups in the number of ewe lambs reaching this stage of development were small and not significant. Autumn shearing of ewe lambs was associated with a very slight but statistically wholly insignificant delay in the mean date of puberty whereas the duration of cyclic activity in these lambs was not affected by such treatments.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 79 , Issue 3 , December 1972 , pp. 431 - 433
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

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References

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