Fertility and wool properties in East Friesian x Awassi crossbred (F1) ewes

Abstract

To determine the fertility, wool yield and wool characteristics of East Friesian x Awassi crossbreds (F,), a total of 40 sheep were sheared and inseminated. 97.50% conceived, 76.92% gave birth to twins. There were 1.85 lambs per sheep. Wool yield was 3.10 +/- 0.05 kg with 31.38 +/- 0.26 mu m mean fiber diameter, 14.07 +/- 0.30 g resistance, 29.21 +/- 0.46% elasticity and 9.43 +/- 1.90 cm staple length. Most of these characteristics differed in samples taken from shoulder, rib, rump and ridge regions. These (F-1) sheep have high twin rate and lambing percentage and wool is best suited for blanket and carpet-weaving industry.