Abstract
Gaili, E. S. E., Islam, A. M. and El-Naiem, A. A. 1994. Comparative lambing performance of Najdi, Awassi and Hejazi ewes. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 5: 29-33.
The efficiency of lamb production was investigated in three indigenous Saudi sheep breeds (Najdi, Awassi and Hejazi) over forty-three months under an intensive system. The Hejazi ewes had more (P<0. 05) pregnancies, lambings and lambs but shorter (P<0. 01) lambing intervals than Najdi or Awassi ewes. The efficiency of lamb production was the lowest in Hejazi ewes because of the light weaning weight of their lambs. However, ewes of the three breeds were equally efficient in lamb production when the former efficiency index was expressed as a function of ewe's body or metabolic body weight.