Growth curve characteristics in morkaraman and awassi sheep: Ii. genetic and environmental aspects

Abstract

To examine effects of environmental factors such as year of birth, type of birth and age of dam on the growth curve parameters estimated by the Brody model using weight-age data from 54 Morkaraman and 79 Awassi sheep, least squares means, standard errors of growth curve parameters and weight at specified ages were estimated. Estimates of heritability along with genetic and environmental correlations between growth curve parameters were evaluated. The results indicated that selection for 12-month weight or later will result in a correlated response in mature weight. © GSP, India.