COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWTH POTENTIAL AND MEAT PRODUCTIVITY OF PUREBRED AND CROSSBRED LAMBS

Abstract

The purpose of the research was to develop effective methods of sheep commercial crossbreeding of different breeds and productive characteristics in order to identify the maximum effect of heterosis. The research was conducted in the farm conditions of the Turkestan region at Altybas LLP and Narbet peasant farm. Two groups of ewes were formed: the Ordabasy and Karakul breeds (commercial crossbreeding – experimental group). These ewes were also used as control for purebred breeding. In the commercial crossbreeding, rams of the Zhaidar breed were used. The studies showed that at 60 days of age, the live weight of Ordabasy lambs was 25,63 kg compared to 20,16 kg in Karakul lambs (difference of 21,4%). For female lambs, the above parameters were 23,28 and 18,56 kg (difference of 20,3%). At 90 days, the live weight of crossbred lambs obtained from crossing was as follows: crossing of Zhaidar rams with Ordabasy ewes (variant 3) – young rams – 31,8 kg, young ewes – 28,9 kg. Crossing of Zhaidar rams with Karakul ewes (variant 4) – 26,1 and 24,4 kg, respectively. Thus, the conducted studies on growing young rams obtained from different selection options for up to 4,5 months with subsequent sale for meat showed that with a heterogeneous selection of parental pairs (commercial crossing – variants 2 and 4), it was possible to slightly improve the meatiness of lambs. However, these parameters are lower than those obtained with purebred breeding (variant 1). Using a Zhaidar ram with Karakul ewes significantly improved the productivity of the resulting offspring compared to purebred Karakul sheep breeding.