Relative live weight, fleece weight and reproductive rate of farmed feral sheep (Ovis aries L.)

A sample of feral Hokonui, Campbell Island and Raglan sheep were captured after living feral > 40 years and managed on North and South Island farms alongside domesticated breeds for 28 years to understand relative performance in various traits. Fleece weight was significantly different (P < 0....

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Published inNew Zealand journal of zoology Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 319 - 341
Main Authors Sumner, R. M. W., Scobie, D. R., O'Connell, D., Henderson, H. V.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02.10.2017
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
Campbell Island
Cattle
Domestication
Farms
feral sheep
fleece weight
Hokonui
live weight
Ovis aries
Raglan
reproductive rate
Sheep
Campbell Island
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Summary:A sample of feral Hokonui, Campbell Island and Raglan sheep were captured after living feral > 40 years and managed on North and South Island farms alongside domesticated breeds for 28 years to understand relative performance in various traits. Fleece weight was significantly different (P < 0.001) between breeds (Hokonui, 1.48 kg; Campbell Island, 1.50 kg; and Raglan, 2.16 kg), lower than both domesticated Saxon Merino (3.26 kg) and Perendale (3.29 kg) in the North Island. Live weight was significantly different (P < 0.001) between flocks (Hokonui, 39.4 kg; Campbell Island, 38.6 kg; and Raglan, 43.0 kg), but intermediate between Saxon Merino (35.5 kg) and Perendale (51.6 kg). Reproductive rate depended on live weight and was also intermediate between the domesticated breeds, being significantly greater in the South Island (P < 0.001). Decreased fleece weight was common to farmed feral sheep from three different origins, suggesting this trait may have been an advantage during a feral existence.
ISSN:0301-4223
1175-8821
DOI:10.1080/03014223.2017.1329749