Twin Ewes Over-Rated As Factor In Building Up Lambing Percentages
The average difference between the lifetime percentages of ewes born as twins and' those born as singles does not warrant the degree of importance usually attributed to the twin ewe as a means of increasing lambing percentages. This point is one of the many which has emerged as the result of detailed analyses of the breeding records of a Romney stud flock over the last 13 lambing seasons. The investigational work was carried out by R. A. Barton, of Massey Agricultural College, who has contributed a paper on “Fertility in the Romney Ewe, with particular reference to the Two-tooth,” to the sheep r farmers’ book published by the College. It is popularly believed by breeders, states the article, that ewes which were themselves twins tend to produce twins, and some favour the use of twin rams' in an endeavour to increase the twinning rate in the flock. , It is well known that such*factors as the physical condition of the ewe at mating time, flushing and careful diet, management during pregnancy, district, age, etc., may modify inherent capacity for producing twin or triplet lambs. It is probably because of the great influence of these non-hereditary factors affecting the twin-producing ability of ewes, that little benefit has resulted from the policy of breeding from sheep which were themselves twins.
The differences in lambing percentages between single ewes and twin ewes, calculated on the basis of total live lambs born as a percentage of dry plus wet ewes, illustrate in this flock that there is only a slight advantage in favour of twin ewes. The difference between the two groups on the overall figure amounts to 4.9 per cent, with one inconsistent figure in the six-tooth age group. It should also be pointed out that, where single and twin ewes which bred as two-tooths are considered, the single ewes show a slightly higher lambing percentage.
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 24, 24 February 1948, Page 7
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322Twin Ewes Over-Rated As Factor In Building Up Lambing Percentages Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 24, 24 February 1948, Page 7
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