Co-Authors:
Amir, D., ARO, The Volcani Center, Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, Israel
Schindler, H., ARO, The Volcani Center, Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, Israel
Rosenberg, M., ARO, The Volcani Center, Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, Israel
Folman, Y., ARO, The Volcani Center, Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 6, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
The sexual season, i.e. the sexual cycle activity, of Finn × German Mutton Merino (Finn × GMM) ewes was found to extend from August to March. In a group of purebred German Mutton Merino (GMM) ewes the sexual season extended from June to January. After July-August and October-November lambings, 90-95% of the Finn × GMM crosses renewed postpartum sexual activity within 90 and 75 days, respectively. Only 40% of the November lambing purebred GMM ewes started new cycles within 105 days postpartum. The responsiveness of the Finn × GMM ewes to hormonal treatment was high (90-100%) during different months of the year. The fertility at the synchronized or induced oestrus was 60-75% throughout the year, with a mean litter size of 2.0 lambs per lambing. © 1980.