Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize phenotype indigenous sheep population in central zone of Tigray. A total of 450 adult sheep were sampled randomly for this purpose. Based on dentition adult sheep were classified into four age categories. Average BW of the sampled sheep in Tanqua-Abergelle, Kola-Tembien and Adwa districts were (20.19±0.19, 22.18±0.22 and 23.68±0.33) kg, respectively. Location had highly significant (p<0.0001) effect on body weight (BW) and most of the linear body measurements (LBM). Adwa sheep were heavier than Tanqua-Abergelle sheep, but comparable with Kola-Tembien sheep. Sex of the animal had significant (p<0.0001) effect on BW and most of the LBM. BW in rams and ewes in the study area were 23.23±0.25 and 20.81±0.13 kg, respectively. Age group had significantly (p<0.0001) affected BW and most of the LBM. The trend of BW and LBM increased with increased dentition class. Highly significant (p<0.0001) correlations were observed between BW and most of the LBM. Chest girth (CG), rump length (RL), tail length (TL) and body length (BL) were found to be the most important traits in the regression model determining male BW accounting for variability of 74%, while for female CG, pelvis width (PW) and RL were the most important traits accounting 73% of the total variability of female BW. Based on the present result one may develop selection criteria and productivity schemes of the local sheep. Key words: Body weight, linear body measurements, quantitative trait, Tanqua-Abergelle, Kola-Tembien, Adwa
Highlights
Ethiopia is endowed with 29.33 million sheep (CSA, 2015) with diversified genetic pools adapted to a wide range of agro-ecologies
Chest girth (CG), rump length (RL), tail length (TL) and body length (BL) were found to be the most important traits in the regression model determining male body weight (BW) accounting for variability of 74%, while for female CG, pelvis width (PW) and RL were the most important traits accounting 73% of the total variability of female BW
The standard breed descriptor list for sheep developed by FAO (2012) was closely followed in selecting quantitative traits like: body weight (BW), body length (BL), wither height (WH), chest girth (CG), chest width (CW), rump length (RL), pelvis width (PW), ear length (EL), tail length (TL) and scrota circumference (SC)
Summary
Ethiopia is endowed with 29.33 million sheep (CSA, 2015) with diversified genetic pools adapted to a wide range of agro-ecologies. Environmental pressure maintains a wide range of genotypes, each adapted to a specific set of circumstances (Getachew et al, 2010). At least 9 sheep breeds and 14 traditional sheep populations are found in Ethiopia (Gizaw et al, 2007). Genetic improvement of the local livestock through appropriate techniques or selection and breeding programme is the need of the day (Yakubu, 2010). The usefulness of breed characterization of the indigenous livestock in general and sheep in particular is never
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