%0 Journal Article
	%A M. Selvaggi and  F. Pinto and  A. R. Pesce Delfino and  A. Vicenti and  C. Dario
	%D 2011
	%J International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
	%B World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
	%I Open Science Index 54, 2011
	%T Phenotypic and Genetic Parameters of Pre-Weaning Growth Traits in Gentile di Puglia Lambs
	%U https://publications.waset.org/pdf/874
	%V 54
	%X Data from 1731 Gentile di Puglia lambs, sired by 65 rams over a 5-year period were analyzed by a mixed model to estimate the variance components for heritability. The considered growth traits were: birth weight (BW), weight at 30 days of age (W30) and average daily gain from birth to 30 days of age (DG). Year of birth, sex of lamb, type of birth (single or twin), dam age at lambing and farm were significant sources of variation for all the considered growth traits. The average lamb weights were 3.85±0.16 kg at birth, 9.57±0.91 kg at 30 days of age and the average daily gain was 191±14 g. Estimates of heritability were 0.33±0.05, 0.41±0.06 and 0.16±0.05 respectively for the same traits. These values suggest there is a good opportunity to improve Gentile di Puglia lambs by selecting animals for growth traits.

	%P 336 - 338