J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1954. 13:455-463.
© 1954 American Society of Animal Science
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The Effect of Year, Breed, Age and Number of Ewes Bred on Fertility in Range Rams

E. L. Wiggins, C. E. Terrill and L. O. Emik1

United States Department of Agriculture,2

Abstract

The effects of year, breed, age of ram and number of ewes bred per ram were studied in 1109 rams bred to 31,473 ewes over the 15-year period 1936-1950 inclusive.

The average percentages of ewes lambing in different years ranged from a low of 87.9 percent in 1946 to a high of 93.7 percent in 1950. No definite trend in fertility was noted over the period studied. The average percentage of ewes lambing over the period of study was 90.7. Targhee rams had the highest average fertility followed in order by Corriedales, Rambouillets, Columbias and 11 rams of 3 other breeds which were considered as one group.

There did not appear to be significant differences in the fertility of rams of different ages and there was no trend in fertility with increasing age. In actual percentages of ewes lambing 4-year old rams were highest and were followed in order by 2-year olds, yearlings, 3-year olds and ram lambs.

There was no trend in fertility with increasing numbers of ewes up to 50. The average fertility in pens of more than 50 ewes was slightly lower than the fertility in pens of less than 50 ewes but only a relatively small number of rams were bred to more than 50 ewes.

Footnotes

1 L. O. Emik is now with the U. S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia.

2 U. S. Sheep Experiment Station and Western Sheep Breeding Laboratory, Dubois, Idaho, in cooperation with the University of Idaho.






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Copyright © 1954 by the American Society of Animal Science.