Production Objectives, Reproductive Performance and Selection Criteria of Indigenous Sheep Types in Meket and Gidan Districts, North Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Tarekegn Demeke,Elias Bayou,Tesfaye Getachew

doi:10.11648/j.bio.20200801.11

Tarekegn Demeke, Elias Bayou + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11648/j.bio.20200801.11

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Abstract

This study was aimed to generate comprehensive information on production objectives, reproductive performance and selection criteria of indigenous sheep types under farmer’s management condition in Meket and Gidan districts, North Wollo Zone. Ethiopia. Multistage purposive sampling was employed based on the potential of sheep production. Accordingly 6 rural kebeles (3 from each district) were considered purposively. About 240 households (120 from each district) were used for household survey. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS 16.0 2007) was used to analyze data. The main objectives of keeping sheep were for income generation followed by meat consumption across the districts compared. Sexual maturity age of Meket ram was 9.04 months whereas Gidan ram was 8.51 months. The average age at first lambing, lambing interval and lifetime lamb crop of Meket Sheep were 16.04 months, 9.14 months and 8.92 lambs, respectively. The corresponding values for Gidan Sheep were 15.57 months, 8.66 months and 9.77 lambs, respectively. Color, growth character and appearance were the most important traits considered by farmers to select breeding rams in both study districts. Ages at first sexual maturity, color, lamb growth and pedigree were the most important trait in choosing of breeding ewes in Meket district. Whereas Ages at first sexual maturity, color, tail type/length and pedigree were the most important trait in choosing of breeding ewes in Gidan district. Therefore, this finding was put baseline for understanding about production objective, Reproductive performance and selection criteria of Sheep and serve as a base for designing a sustainable breeding programme and selection strategies in the study area.

Highlights

Small ruminants have a unique niche in smallholder agriculture from the fact that they require small investments; have shorter production cycles, faster growth rates and greater environmental adaptability as compared to large ruminants [1]
The study was conducted in Meket and Gidan districts, which are geographically located in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
In Gidan, like that of Meket, the primary purpose of keeping sheep was for generating income, saving and meat

Summary

Introduction

Small ruminants (sheep and goats) have a unique niche in smallholder agriculture from the fact that they require small investments; have shorter production cycles, faster growth rates and greater environmental adaptability as compared to large ruminants [1]. The livestock sector in Ethiopia play significant role in the national economy. It contributes 15-17% and 35-49% of the total and agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP), respectively and provides livelihood for 37-87% of the population [2]. Ethiopia’s vast sheep population, estimated at about 30.70 million heads, is found widely distributed across the diverse agro-ecological zones of the country [3]. Even though the study areas are rich in livestock resources including small ruminants, information is scanty to show the reproductive

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