Study Of Lamb Growth Rate And Meat Performance On German Merino×han F₁, Poll Dorset×han F₁

Hybridization performance were studied in three sheep breeds including German Merino×Han sheep F₁ (DHF1, test group), Poll Dorset×Han sheep F₁ (THF1, test group) and Han sheep (control group). 24 lambs (including female and male) per breed were selected randomly for test samples, and they were fed under same condition.Growth rate and meat performance were analysed during 1 to 5 months.results showed:1. Lamb weigh of DHF1 and THF1 were significant higher than Han sheep during 1 to 5 months (P <0.05);.Average daily gain of DHF1 and THF1 were 214.42g and 211.77g, and increased 15.67% and 14.24% respectively compared with Han sheep (P <0.01).2. Changes in body size of test group was no significant difference compared with control group (P>0.05); but chest girth index of test group were significantly higher than Han sheep (P<0. 05), this showed that meat performance of test group is better.3. Slaughter rate of DHF1 and THF1 were 54.49% and 54.43%, higher than Han sheep with 6.82% and 6.76%; and meat percentage were 45.03% and 44.15%, respectively, higher than Han sheep with 10.71% and 9.83%.4. This test illuminated after Han sheep were hybridized by Germany Merino or Poll Dorset, F1 lamb showed significant hybridization performance including quicker growth, larger body size and more Slaughter rate. At the same time it was suggested that Merino×Han sheep and Poll Dorset×Han sheep were effective methods in improving mutton production.