ADAPTATION ABILITIES OF STUD RAMS OF THE SOUTH MUTTON BREED IN THE ALTAI REGION
The studies of the ethological and physiological reactions and live weight dynamics of the South mutton rams imported to improve meat qualities of the sheep of the West Siberian mutton breed at the initial stages of their adaptation to the conditions of the Altai Region are discussed. The experimental studies were conducted on the farm of the OAO “Stepnoe” of the Rodinskiy District of the Altai Region in 2011-2012. The vital functions and live weight dynamics of the stud rams were studied right after their arrival to the farm and then in 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. During the first month the rams of the South mutton breed spent by 2 hours or 20.5% more for feed intake and by 0.7 hour less for sleep as compared to that of the West Siberian mutton rams. The average daily weight gain made 166.6 g, and the live weight increased by 5.0 kg. In three months after the transportation the imported animals spent more time for sleep and less time for food intake. In six months and in a year the vital functions of the imported and local animals did not differ. The live weight of the rams of the South mutton breed increased by 24 kg in half a year; it doubled in a year as compared to the live weight at their arrival to the farm.