Abstract: [Objective] To understand the production performance advantages of the F₁ generation crossbreds between Huang-huai Meat Sheep and Hu Sheep, providing a reference for the promotion of new Huang-huai Meat Sheep breed resources. [Methods] 90 purebred Hu ewes, ranging from 2 to 4 parities, were selected and synchronized for estrus. Subsequently, 35 randomly selected purebred Hu ewes were artificially inseminated with semen from Huang-huai Meat Sheep rams, resulting in 29 parturient purebred Hu ewes producing 61 Huang-Hu F₁ lambs （experimental group）. The remaining 55 Hu ewes were artificially inseminated with Hu rams, resulting in 53 parturient purebred Hu ewes producing 103 purebred Hu lambs （control group）. Growth traits, including birth weight, weaning weight, weaning survival rate, average daily gain （ADG） from 0-55, 55-90, 90-120, 120-150, and 0-150 days, as well as body height, body length, chest circumference, and cannon bone circumference at birth, 55, 90, 120, and 150 days, were measured and analyzed for both groups. [Results] Regarding birth weight, weaning weight, weaning survival rate, and ADG across different age periods （0-55, 55-90, 90-120, 120-150, and 0-150 days of age）, the single-birth weight of F₁ generation Huang-hu lambs in the experimental group was significantly （P<0.01） higher than that of Hu lambs in the control group; the multiple-birth weight （twins or more） of F₁ generation Huang-hu lambs in the experimental group was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of Hu lambs in the control group; the weaning weight, weaning survival rate, and ADG across all measured age periods （0-55, 55-90, 90-120, 120-150, and 0-150 days of age） of F₁ generation Huang-hu lambs in the experimental group were significantly （P<0.01） higher than those of Hu lambs in the control group. For body measurements, at birth and weaning, the body height, body length, and chest circumference of F₁ generation Huang-hu lambs in the experimental group were significantly （P<0.01） higher than those of Hu lambs in the control group; the cannon bone circumference of female lambs at birth in the experimental group was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of female Hu lambs in the control group; at 90, 120, and 150 days, the chest circumference of F₁ generation Huang-hu lambs in the experimental group was significantly （P<0.01） higher than that of Hu lambs in the control group; the cannon bone circumference of female lambs at 120 days in the experimental group was significantly higher （P<0.01） than that of female Hu lambs in the control group; the cannon bone circumference of male lambs at 150 days in the experimental group was significantly higher （P<0.01） than that of male Hu lambs in the control group; the cannon bone circumference of female lambs at 150 days in the experimental group was significantly （P<0.05） higher than that of female Hu lambs in the control group. [Conclusion] Using Huang-huai meat sheep as the sire and Hu sheep as the dam for crossbreeding, the F₁ generation lambs show obvious heterosis in birth weight, weaning weight, weaning survival rate, and chest circumference, and prominent meat production traits, and are therefore suitable for promotion and application in large-scale sheep farms.

Key words: Huang-huai Meat Sheep, Hu Sheep, crossbreeding, F₁ generation, production performance