Productive qualities of sheep of the Askanian meat-wool breed with crossbred wool in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Carpathian region

Abstract

Goal. To investigate the adaptive capacity and productive qualities of purebred sheep of the Askanian meat-wool breed with crossbred wool in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Carpathian region. Methods. They were generally accepted as zootechnical, statistical, and economical. The results. It was established that no significant problems with adaptation were observed in purebred sheep of the Askanian meat-wool breed with crossbred wool, which was brought from the steppe zone of southern Ukraine to the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Carpathian region. Sheep of Askanian crossbred and Askanian black-headed types brought from the steppe zone of the south of Ukraine (SE RF «Askania-Nova») and those born in the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Carpathian region (SE RF «Grusyatichi» did not differ significantly among themselves in terms of body weight and wool productivity in all age periods. High indicators of age repeatability of body weight and amount of wool shorn indicate a significant influence of heredity on the realization of the breed’s potential and its adaptation to new conditions. According to the results of the second lambing, the fertility of crossbred and black-headed ewes was 114 and 122%, respectively, with offspring survival before weaning at 96 and 97%. Conclusions. Sheep of the Askanian meat-wool breed, imported from the steppe zone of southern Ukraine (SE RF «Askania-Nova»), have adapted well to the conditions of the forest-steppe zone of the Lviv region, retain the productive qualities characteristic of the breed and steadily pass them on to their offspring.