Milk yield of Malpura and Awassi x Malpura ewes and its effect on lamb growth

Awassi with potential of milk and meat production was crossed with native Malpura ewes to enhance its production potentiality. Milk experiment was initiated from third week of lactation and data were recorded twice a week in morning and evening hours up to weaning of lambs (90 days) by suckling method. Effect of crossing and other variables on milk yield of 34 Malpura and 37 Awassi x Malpura halfbreds (AM) ewes lambed during 2000 and 2002 spring lambing seasons were examined. Ewes of both the genetic groups were provided similar grazing and feeding regimen. AM ewes excelled significantly over Malpura ewes in milk production by 19.16%. Year difference in milk production was significant in AM group. Ewes of second parity produced significantly more milk than the ewes of first and third parity indicating that mammary glands secreted maximum milk during second parity. Peak yield was observed during third week of lactation (701g) and thereafter a definite decreasing trend in milk yield was obtained. Heavy ewes gave birth to heavier lambs and accordingly weaned their lambs with the same superiority trend.