Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Kachhi Sheep Breed

Abstract

For the evaluation of the phenotypic and morphometric characteristics of Kachhi sheep, a total of 300 adult Kachhi sheep (female240 and male 60) were selected from different study areas (Hyderabad, Matiary, Mirpurkahs, Sanghar, Umerkot and Thaparkar) of Sindh province. Among all the study areas majority of male and female Kachhi sheep physically possessed plain white coat with black and brown (tan) color, compact body shape, coarse type wool, convex face profile, roman nose, small pendulous ears, sloppy rump, dark colored hooves, and small cylindrical tail, compact udder. Moreover, majority of male and female sheep were noted with wattles, remarkably few cases of female and male Kachhi sheep were detected with deviated Morphometric characters. Average live body weight and linear body measurements (chest girth, body length, height at withers, facial length, ear length, head width and tail length) of both sexes, at Matiary area were observed comparatively (P<0.05) higher, followed by Hyderabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Tharparkar vicinities of Sindh. However, statistical (P<0.05) differences were recorded in the morphometric traits between male and female Kachhi sheep among all the selected vicinities of Sindh province.