Abstract

MUNOZ-OSORIO, Germani Adrián et al. Factors influencing on some productive variables in lambs fattening in raised slatted floor cages. Nova scientia [online]. 2015, vol.7, n.15, pp.285-296. ISSN 2007-0705.

Fattening lambs in raised slatted floor cages systems has the advantage of clean and dryer facilities than allows a healthy environment, good ventilation, less parasite burden, protection from predation, reduced energy expenditure and best microclime for the animals; however, there is a lack on information about productive performance of lambs in such systems. Identifying factors affecting productive performance of the fattening lambs in raised slatted floor cages systems are crucial to improve their productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effecs of farm, year and year-season on some productive variables of lambs fattening in raised slatted floor cages in the subhumid tropic of Mexico. From a total of 882 male lambs of four farm (farm A, n = 166; farm B, n = 122; farm C, n = 350; farm D, n = 244) post-weaning daily weight gain (ADG), final body weight (FBW) and days of feedlot (DF) were analyzed. The statistical model included the fixed effects of farm (A, B, C and D), year-season (rainy and dry) and years (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) on ADG, FBW and DF. The model included the initial body weigth as covariate. The overall means for GDP, PCF and DF were 263 g, 35 kg and 77 days, respectively. The farm affected (P < 0.001) all evaluated variables. The year-season affected (P < 0.001) PCF and DF, but not ADG. The year affected (P < 0.001) all evaluated variables. The interaction farm × year-season affected (P < 0.001) FBW and DF, but not ADG. In conclusion, the productive performance of lambs fattened in raised slatted floor cages in the subhumid tropic of Mexico, is affected for farm, year and partiality for year-season and interaction farm × year-season.

Keywords : Sheep; growth; housing system; retrospective study.