Analysis of reproductive seasonality in sheep production units in Singuilucan Hidalgo, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the presentation of reproductive seasonality and its relationship with the time of year, feeding, race and social environment in sheep in the municipality of Singuilucan Hidalgo.

Design/methodology/approach: Using the data obtained from 41 surveys of sheep farmers, a logistic regression analysis was carried out, in which the degree of intervention that these variables have on the presence or absence of periods of seasonal anestrus of the sheep in the environment in which they develop and under the proper management of the production units.

Results: 95.1% of the production units present periods of seasonal anestrus, the variables such as seasons of the year, type of feeding, racial type and social environment influence significantly (P <0.05). Spring is the season of the year that most influences the presence of anestrous periods (P <0.05), the reproductive season has its highest peak at the end of spring and during summer, with the calving season being at the end of autumn and during the winter.

Study limitations/implications: Reproductive seasonality is a limitation in sheep production systems.

Findings/conclusions: In the sheep production systems of the present study, it was found that those of estrus occurs at the end of spring and early summer, and that the variables season of the year, type of feeding, racial type and social environment influence so that the seasonal anestrus is present in spring.