Abstract
The reproductive and lamb mortality data (n = 187) of the Local and crosses of Dorper × Local ewes following natural controlled breeding in Ethiopia were analysed. Data were collected during 2009-2011 at Sirinka breeding, evaluation and distribution site, eastern Amhara region of Ethiopia. Breed, lamb sex, birth season, birth year, birth type and ewes’ parity were considered as fixed effects. Data analyses were performed using general linear model procedures. Breed was a significant source of variation: the local sheep attained faster the age at first lambing than the crossbred ewe lambs (469 ± 8.45 vs. 555 ± 6.25 days, p < 0.0001), whereas the crossbred ewes weighed more than the local sheep ewes at the age of first lambing (32.7 ± 0.63 vs. 22.8 ± 0.43 kg, p < 0.0001). Birth year had also important influence on the age and weight at first lambing of ewes. Ewes showed better performance during the later study years, differences attributed due to the improved management advantages in later years. The crossbred and local ewes were comparable in their litter size, despite the fact that the lambing interval of crossbred ewes was longer than the local ewes (306 ± 4.62 vs. 287 ± 2.38 days). Additionally, there was no significant difference in mortality rate between the two breeds. This study confirms that the local ewes had higher annual reproductive rate than that of the crossbred sheep ewes (1.49 ± 0.02 vs. 1.37 ± 0.01 lambs) under the same environmental conditions. The present results suggested that better management and breeding program probably will increase the productivity of the local sheep.
Highlights
In Ethiopia, farmers rear sheep mainly for sale and consumption
The local sheep were faster than the crossbred sheep ewes to attain the age at first lambing (469 ± 8.45 vs. 555 ± 6.25 days)
Based on several literature results while the age at first laming of the local sheep ewes found longer than 410 ± 6.7 days of Farta sheep [16], 410 ± 72 days of Gumuz sheep [17] and 404 ± 65.4 days of the local sheep found in the western part of Ethiopia [18], whereas shorter than 662 and 669 days of the local sheep found in the high lands of Ethiopia and their crosses with Awassi sheep, respectively [19]
Summary
In Ethiopia, farmers rear sheep mainly for sale and consumption. Sheep owners gain a vast range of products and services such as meat, milk, skin, wool, manure, gifts, religious rituals, etc. [1]. Sheep owners gain a vast range of products and services such as meat, milk, skin, wool, manure, gifts, religious rituals, etc. Sheep contributes 21% of the total ruminant livestock meat output of the country, with the annual national mutton production estimated to be at 77 thousand metric tons [3]. While contributing significantly to meat production of the country, productivity or output of per sheep is low [4]. The productivity of indigenous sheep has to be improved and efficient sheep genetic improvement programs must be initiated to boost output and profitability of the producers [5]. To improve sheep productivity crossbreeding with exotic breeds is considered as the most rapid way of improving productivity of indigenous sheep breeds [6]
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