Background: To know the production and reproductive performance of Nellore brown lambs under three systems i.e. intensive, semi-intensive and extensive system of rearing and which system of rearing was beneficial for the farmer community in terms of cost economics. Methods: 36 Nellore brown lambs of 3 months age from Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Warangal district were randomly allotted to three rearing systems i.e. Intensive (G1), Semi-intensive (G2) and Extensive (G3) system of each 12 animals. The body weight and ADG of lambs in the three systems were recorded fortnightly and calculated the cost economics. The reproductive parameters of ewe lambs were recorded. Result: From 3-9 months age, the mean gain in body weight (kg) in the G1 group was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher followed by G2 (10.95 ± 0.18) and G3 (9.33 ± 0.09) groups. The mean ADG (gm) was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in G1 group (75.14 ± 1.56) than G2 (60.83 ± 1.02) and G3 (51.81 ± 0.47) groups. Significant (P less than 0.05) difference was observed in the mean age at puberty of ewe lambs in the three groups. The mean age at first service was lowest in G1 (329.50 ± 6.99) followed by G2 (360.17 ± 6.56) and G3 (385.17 ± 5.60) groups. The net income (Rs.) obtained from each lamb was 1870.8, 1406.7 and 1217.3, respectively in G1, G2 and G3 groups. The cost per kilogram live weight gain was higher in the G1 group followed by G2 and G3 group.

Background: Body Condition Score in sheep was used to evaluate the adequacy of previous feed supply, decide potential feed requirements in the future, evaluate individual animal health status, decide animal condition during daily routine, welfare inspection and in meat production systems.Methods: 60 Nellore brown ewes from Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Warangal district was randomly allotted to three rearing systems i.e Intensive (G1), Semi-intensive (G2) and Extensive (G3) system of each 20 animals. BCS and Body weight of the sheep was recorded at various reproductive stages i.e. just before breeding of animals, during pregnancy and lactation period to assess the nutritional status and reproductive performance of the sheep.Result: The mean average body weight (Kg) of pregnant ewes in G2 group had no significant (P less than 0.05) difference with G3 group. The average mean body weight (Kg) of ewes in G1 (27.58 ± 0.37kg) group had significant (P less than 0.05) difference with G2 (25.50 ± 0.32kg) group during lactation period of 90 days. The total gain of BCS during pregnancy period in the G1, G2 and G3 groups were 0.63 ± 0.06, 0.53 ± 0.06 and 0.44 ± 0.11, respectively. The overall mean BCS of the ewes 48hrs after lambing was higher in G1 (3.0 ± 0.10) group followed by G2 (2.73 ± 0.10) and G3 (2.38 ± 0.08) group.

Background: Among the three varieties of Nellore sheep, Nellore brown was most popular among the shepherds of Telangana state. The research on the performance of the other two varieties i.e. Palla and Dora was done extensively in their home tract but less data was available about performance of Nellore brown under different system of rearing. The growth rate of lambs was highest from birth to weaning in their life. The system of rearing can influence both growth rate and biometrical measurements of the lamb. The performance of the lambs during this stage influence the productive and reproductive performance in the lifetime. Methods: Sixty Nellore brown ewes (1.5 - 2 years) were selected from Sheep unit, Livestock Research Station, Mamnoor, Telangana for the present study. The lambs born in intensive (G1, lambs born N= 14), Semi-intensive (G2, lambs born N= 14) and Extensive (G3, lambs born N= 12) system of rearing were used to study the growth performance and biometry of lambs from birth to weaning. Result: The birth weight (kg) of lambs in G1 and G2 groups were significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than lambs in G3 group. The weaning body weight (Kg) was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) in G1 group as compared to weaning body weights in G2 and G3 group. The mean average ADG (gm) of lambs from birth to weaning was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in G1 (105.4±0.19) followed by G2 (97.9±0.14) and G3 (92.8±0.07) group. The mean pin shoulder length (cm) of lambs at birth in G1 group was higher than G2 and G3 group but had a significant (P less than 0.05) difference with the only G3 group. In G1 group, the mean heart girth (cm) of lambs from15th day to weaning was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher than G2 and G3 groups. The mean gain in paunch girth from birth to weaning in lambs of three groups was nearly 19 cm and had no significant (P less than 0.05) difference between groups.