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DIFFERENCES IN BODY COMPOSITION BETWEEN THREE BREEDS OF SHEEP

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1976

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Abstract

Body composition (fat, protein, water and energy) was predicted from tritiated water space in Camden Park Merino, medium Peppin Merino and fixed halfbred (Border Leicester x Merino) wether sheep on seven to ten occasions post-weaning. Statistical examination of the data for individual sheep of each breed indicated that the final fattening phase of growth commenced at mean live weights of 22, 26 and 32 kg respectively. The-corresponding mean body fat contents were 5.4, 5.1 and 6.2 kg. In subsequent growth, the fat content of weight gain was . similar in each breed being 66% of live weight gain. At any given live weight the amount of fat was greatest in the Camden Park and least in the halfbred wethers.