Analysis of the Environmental Factors Affecting the Growth Traits of Iran-Black Sheep

Analysis of the Environmental Factors Affecting the Growth Traits of Iran-Black Sheep



Reza Tohidi, Yunes Ismailjami, Arash Javanmard



A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of non-genetic factors on
the growth behavior of Iran-Black sheep. The data of growth
performances, birth weight (BW), weaning weight (W3), weight at 6, 9and
12 months of age (W6, W9 and W12, respectively), were taken from 1522
lambs belonging to data bank from Abbas Abad Sheep Breeding Station
located at the North-east of Iran during a period of five years.
Statistical analyses were performed using a general linear model
including non-genetic factors: lamb sex, birth year and litter size as
main effects, the lamb’s age when weighed as covariate, and the
interactions between these factors. Results showed that all traits were
significantly (P<0.001) affected by all factors. However, no
interaction between the factors was found for all traits. Environmental
factors have very important roles in the development and growth of
Iran-Black sheep at different ages. Therefore, a correction is necessary
to increase the accuracy of direct selection on lamb weight at
different growth stages. 



10.22161/ijeab/2.1.21



http://ijeab.com/upload_document/issue_files/21%20IJEAB-JAN-2017-3-Analysis%20of%20the%20Environmental%20Factors.pdf



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