Resource information
8 flocks of Ojinegra ewes (n=5634) were studied during a productive cycle (2007-2008) in Teruel (Spain), a low-mountain dry and harsh area. Ojinegra ewes belong to a local breed, of small-medium size, reared under a semi-extensive system of management. Throughout three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) weight and BCS of 5634 ewes at lambing and weaning were recorded and 5786 lambs were weighed fortnightly form birth to weaning. Season had a significant (p>0.01) effect on weight and BCS of ewes and on lambs average daily gain. The average growth of lambs was 171 +/- 58.6 g/d, which was markedly lower that the growth mentioned in the literature. Several factors such as management, facilities, and chronic pathologies could be responsible of this low growth. Monitoring of the above mentioned factors should be carried out in order to characterize the production potential of this breed.
