INFLUENCE OF SOME ENVIRONMENTAL-FACTORS ON GROWTH OF AWASSI SHEEP

The overall mean for birth, daily gain from birth to weaning and weani ng weight was 4.01+/-0.27, 0.202+/-0.002 and 22.19+/-0.180 kg respecti vely. Month of birth and season of lambing had significant effect on a ll the studied traits. Lambs born earlier were lighter at birth, but g ained more and had heavier weaning weight than those born later within the same lambing season. Male lambs were significantly heavier than f emale lambs at birth and weaning, and gained more than females. The es timated differences were 0.223+/-0.047 kg for birth, 1.985+/-0.311 kg for weaning and 0.022+/-0.003 kg for daily gain. Single lambs were sig nificantly heavier at birth and weaning than twins. The estimated diff erences were 0.758+/-0.058 kg for birth weight, 0.030+/-0.004 kg for d aily gain and 2.686+/-0.406 kg for weaning weight. Regression of birth weight, daily gain and weaning weight on dam body weight, and regress ion of weaning weight on birth weight was significant. Regression coef ficients were 0.023, 0.001 and 0.048 kg/kg for birth weight, daily gai n and weaning weight on dam's weight, and 1.053 kg/kg for weaning weig ht on birth weight.