Breeding Objectives and Practices of Small Holder Sheep Production in Habru Woreda North Wollo Zone of Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

The productivity of Ethiopian sheep’s can be improved by improving management and selecting best animal for future mating. This study was conducted in Habru Woreda, North Wollo Amhara region, Ethiopia with the aim to identify breeding objectives and practices of sheep production in the study area. A total of 40 households were selected purposively based on high sheep population density and production potentials. The data was gathered using semi-structured interview, direct observation and discussion with key informants. The data was summarized and analyzed using Micro soft Excel computer program and presented using tables by using descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages. The main reason of keeping sheep in the study area was for household income generation, meat, manure, culture, breeding and ceremony respectively. The majority of breeding rams for farmers originated from own flock. Mating was uncontrolled but in rare case there is controlled mating. Selection criteria for breeding rum in the study area were growth, coat color, tail type and selection criteria for breeding ewe were lamb growth, body size, lamb survival, coat color and multiple births, respectively. Maturity age for selection of breeding ewe was reported 6-8 month. Majority of sheep breeds were indigenous breeds (87.5%) followed by cross breed ones (12.5%). There are also poor cross-breeding activities at farmers’ level and uncontrolled natural mating within local breeds was predominantly practiced by households. Selecting appropriate ewe and ram for the purpose of improving breeding objectives as well as its practice is important. To minimize the failure of sheep breed improvement program it is important to consider breed management system and trait preferences of the community.