RESEARCH REGARDING THE GROWING SPEED OF CROSSBREED SUCKLING LAMBS CHAROLAIS X MERINOS DE TRANSILVANIA, IN BANAT AREA

In the last ten years the milk lambs were very demanded on the west European market, especially at the beginning of December and early spring. In this researches was followed the growing speed evolution on crossbreed Charollais x Merinos de Transilvania lambs, from lambing to weaning (70 days). Mother sheep were well prepared before get trough a normal nutrition, depending on the phase of gestation and adequate sheltering conditions. At lambing, sheep had a very good condition and a normal milk production. Crossbreed lambs had maternal milk on ad libitum and from the age of 10 days got in separated enclosures, quality after-grass and granulated combined feeder with 14% PDI in the first 30 days and 12% between 30- 70 days. After the evaluation of the growing speed it was determined that lambs from single lambing, both sexes (F-female, M-male), realize a growing speed, between lambing to weaning (70 days) superior (370g/day), the ones from twin lambing (F-F couple 286g/day, F-M couple 299g/day, M-M couple 302g/zi). The growing speed is significantly higher (p < 0.01) in 30-70 days period, compared with 10-30 days period, both in lambs from single and twin lambing. On the base of this study, we suggest that for obtaining milk lambs with a higher body weight and quality meat, realization of crossbreed lambs between breeds Charollais and Merinos de Transilvania, is opportune. This should be raised with maternal milk and strong feeder, at least until the age of 70 days.