Reproductive Performance of Rahmani and Chiose Sheep and Their Lambs under Upper Egypt Conditions

The differences of fertility and prolificacy traits for Rahmani and Chios ewes were studied in this investigation. The study was conducted during two consecutive years that included three lambing season with a total of 273 ewes (162 Rahmani and 111 Chios) bred, 230 ewes lambing, 280 lambs born and 237 lambs weaned. Breed of ewes had a significant effect on fecundity, lambing rate and weaning rate. Mating season and year did not significantly affect fertility traits. Age of ewes had a significant effect on fecundity, lambing rate and weaning rate. Breed of ewes had a significant (P<0.01) effect on prolificacy traits. Mating season and year had no significant effect on prolificacy traits. Age of ewes had a significant effect on prolificacy traits, except litter weight at weaning, Chios ewe lambs reached puberty and maturity at younger age and they had heavier body weight than Rahmani ewe lambs. The effects of birth type and weaning system on reproductive traits of ewe lambs were not significant. Early weaned lambs reached puberty and maturity earlier than normal and late weaned lambs. Breed of lambs, birth type and weaning system had no significant on age and weight at puberty of ram lambs, except age at puberty which was significantly affected (P<0.05) by weaning system.