Desempenho reprodutivo de ovelhas Santa Inês criadas no nordeste paraense

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the reproductive performance of ewes submitted to reproductive station in the dry and rainy periods and to identify the best period of the year to perform reproductive and birth station in Igarapé-açu county,, Pará northeastern. Was used 96 ewes randomly separated in two groups (Group A: 38 animals and Group B: 58 animals). Group A was submitted to the station reproductive in the dry season and birth station in the rainy season with the opposite occurring with the Group B. The reproductive rates were submitted to Chi-square or Fisher Exact test and analysis of variance by t-Student to weight the variables by statistical package SAS (1993). The distribution of estrus showed no significant difference between the seasons (P>0,05). Groups A and B, respectively, showed rates of 86,8% and 93,1% for pregnancy, 76,3% and 79,3% for kidding rate, 9% and 7,4% for abortion rate, 86,8% and 89,6% for fecundity rate, 103,4% and 113% for birth rate, 113,8% and 113% for prolificacy rate, 2,6% and 13,8% mortality rate of ewe and 26,6% and 48% for mortality rate of lambs until 10 days. Only the mortality rate of lambs until 10 days was shown to be statistically different (P<0,05). The matrices showed only difference in weights to the end of the reproductive station and the in the last 45 days of pregnancy (P<0,05),showing better results with animals mating in the dry season. However, no differences between seasons were found on weights at the beginning of breeding season, postpartum and lamb birth weight (P>0,05). The seasons seemed not influence the reproductive performance of ewes reared in this region, however, the ewes must give birth during the rainy season which would ensure higher survival of lambs