Pre and post weaning performance of Columbia sheep under an intensive system of the central Mexico: an alternative to enhance meat production.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pre and post-weaning performance of Columbia lambs under an intensive system in central Mexico. Productive data of 657 Columbia lambs (346 males and 5.3 kg at birth; 311 Females and 4.9 kg at birth) in the period from 2017 to 2020 were considered. Live weight data were collected by sex, birth weight (BW), pre-weaning average daily gain (preADG) and post-weaning average daily gain (postADG), weaning weight (WW), final weight (FW), final age (FA) and mortality percentage data. No significant interactions between year, sex and litter size were found (p > 0.05). Differences were detected among years for all variables (p < 0.05). When comparing males vs. females, the highest values were found in males in almost all the variables (p < 0.05) except for FW and mortality (p > 0.05). The age to achieve final weight was greater in females (p < 0.05). Regarding litter size, singles were heavier and had more preADG than twins (p < 0.05). The phenotypic correlations showed significant (p < 0.05) and positive relationships between 1) BW with preADG and postADG, 2) preADG with WW and 3) FW with FA. On the contrary, negative correlations were detected (p < 0.05) between 1) WW with postADG and 2) postADG with FW. In conclusion, Columbia breed lambs could played an important role to improve meat production in intensive systems in central Mexico.