Genetic parameters of Barki sheep raised under semi-arid conditions

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Abstract
SUMMARY Records on 695 lambs were collected over a period of 5 years from 1961/62 to 1965/66, at Ras El-Hekma Desert Research Station, 230 km west of Alexandria. The characters studied were birth, weaning and yearling body weights, pre- and post-weaning daily gains and greasy fleece weight. Birth, 120-day and 365-day body weights were 3·4, 18·2 and 33·4 kg respectively. Greasy fleece weight at 16 months of age was 3·29 kg. Heritability estimates of birth, weaning, yearling weights, pre- and post-weaning daily gains and greasy fleece weight were 0·22, 0·45, 0·41,0·45 and 0·29 respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between birth, weaning and yearling weights were all positive and significant. Genetic correlations between fleece weight and body characteristics were negative and low.