Evaluate pure Breeding and Crossbreeding Strategy for Better Carcass and non-carcass Traits of Awassi, Chios, and their Reciprocal Crossbred Lambs

In Jordan, crossing local sheep with the exotic breed has an acceptable sound by farmers but needs scientific proof for planned-ahead crossing and introgression. This work aimed to find the best mating strategy on economic carcass and non-carcass traits of produced lambs under an intensive production system in Jordan. The mating strategy among Awassi and Chios for two years was designed to obtain different pure- and cross-bred lambs. They were pure Awassi, pure Chios, and reciprocal crosses of Awassi-Chios and Chios-Awassi lambs for two years. The studied factors included sex of lamb, breed, lamb birth type, age at slaughtering, and their two-way interactions. The lamb sex significantly affected (P < 0.001) most carcass and non-carcass traits of economic importance. Similarly, the effect of age was notable (P < 0.05) on all carcass and non-carcass traits. The breeds were significantly different (P < 0.05) for the hot carcass, tail, and internal organs weights. Therefore, the use of Awassi sire as a paternal contributor for producing meat over one year in crossbreeding can be implemented for increasing carcass weights. The heterosis effect had only significant for tail weight. Significant differences for the liver with and without a trachea, kidney with and without fat, heart with and without fat, and lung between reciprocal crosses for heterosis percentages always favored the reciprocal cross of Awassi female parent. Interaction effects of age with sex were detected on body weight, carcass length, and kidney, while interaction effect of birth type with sex was significant for body weight and some internal organs. finally, significant interaction effects of the breed with both sex and birth type were significant for the cold carcass, tail, and some organs weights. In the present study, sheep producers might be benefited better if Awassi sire is used as a paternal contributor for producing meat over one year in crossbreeding strategy with Chios for increasing carcass weights.