A study was conducted to compare carcass and noncarcass yield, carcass composition, conformation, and fat depot partitioning of three Ethiopian fat-tailed hair sheep breeds (Blackhead Ogaden (BHO), Horro, and Washera) under two concentrate supplement levels (CSL). Sixteen sheep from each genotype (8 sheep per concentrate level), a total of 48, were used in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (3 breeds and 2 CSL). The two CSL were 1% (L1) and 1.75% (L2) body weight. Animals were about a year of age at the start of the experiment and all were slaughtered after 90 days of fattening. Dressing percentage per SBW was in the orders of Horro > BHO = Washera (P < 0.001). Total edible noncarcass component yield per EBW (TENCCY/EBW) of Horro breed (21%) was heavier (P < 0.0001) by about 2.8% than that from BHO and Washera sheep. Blackhead Ogaden sheep had significantly (P < 0.05) higher fat percentage and fat to bone ratio, while lower lean to fat ratio than Horro and Washera sheep. The fat partitioning results showed that carcass depot is the major fat depot in BHO and Horro sheep, whereas carcass fat and tail fat in Washera sheep had comparable value. The highest (P < 0.0001) carcass compactness index (CCI) value was obtained in Horro sheep, while the value for Washera was the lowest coupled with leg compactness index; as a result, Washera sheep had poor carcass conformation. Sheep supplemented with L2 had heavier HCW and CCW (P < 0.0001), wider RMA, and dressed better (P < 0.001) than L1-fed sheep. Carcass fat per CCW, carcass fat per total body fat (TBF), TYEP per SBW, and CCI values of the L2 diet-fed group were 2.7, 1.8, 1.2%, and 13.2 g/cm, respectively, higher (P < 0.05) than L1-supplemented sheep. The result highlights that Horro and Washera have closely comparable carcass composition, indicating the two breeds were at a similar stage of physiological maturity, while BHO appeared to be an early maturing sheep, suggesting a need for different feeding management for BHO to harvest lean meat. In conclusion, there existed a significant breed variation in most parameters considered in this study, which can be an opportunity to select breeds for various use and production objectives.

An experiment arranged in 2 × 3 (2 concentrate supplement levels (CSL) and 3 breeds) factorial was carried out to evaluate the effect of CSL, breeds, and their interaction on feed intake, digestibility, feed utilization efficiency, and blood profiles of Ethiopian fat-tail hair sheep. The CSL were 1% and 1.75% body weight, designated as L1 and L2, respectively. The breeds used were yearling intact male Blackhead Ogaden (BHO), Horro and Washera. Sixteen sheep from each breed were divided into two based on initial body weight and randomly allocated to two dietary treatments for digestibility and growth trials of 10 and 90 days, respectively. Grass hay as a basal diet was offered ad libitum to each sheep. Feed intake every day and live body weight at interval of ten days were recorded for the duration of the experiment. Blood samples and linear body measurements were taken a week before the end and on the last day of the experiment from all sheep, respectively. Dry matter and nutrient intakes, except concentrate supplement and CP, were influenced by the interaction. The higher (p < 0.0001) DM digestibility was recorded from sheep supplemented with L2 than L1. Consequently, sheep supplemented with L2 had significantly higher (P < 0.05) feed conversion efficiency (FCE), average daily gain (ADG) (57.3 vs 44.2 kg), total gain (TG) (5.3 vs 3.9 kg) and final body weight (FBW) than those supplemented with L1. Among breeds, Horro sheep recorded higher (P < 0.05) DM intake, digestibility, and FCE than the rest of the breeds. Consequently, this breed has significantly (p < 0.05) higher TG, ADG, and FBW. Some of the blood hematology (PCV, MCV, neutrophils, and monocytes) and sera metabolites (total protein, urea, and cholesterol) How to cite this paper: Ayele, S., Urge, M. 150values were influenced by the interaction in favor of L2. Hemoglobin concentration was higher for Washera than the other breeds (p < 0.05) but similar for the two CSL (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the study indicate the presence of variation in nutrient intake and utilization, performance traits, and blood profiles among breeds and between CSL, most of which were in favor of Horro breed and high level of concentrate.

Sheep in Ethiopia is among the major economically important livestock species in the country, playing a significant role to the livelihood of resource-poor farmers and pastoralists. A number of research works were done in the past which evaluate and improve the performance of indigenous sheep in Ethiopia. However, compiled information concerning the production and reproduction potential of indigenous sheep in the country is not available. In this paper, performance of major production and reproduction traits of indigenous sheep is reviewed and discussed. The information presented in this review indicated that, 16 to 126 g/d average daily gain, 7-18 kg hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of 34% to 49% (slaughter body weight basis) at 18-26 kg slaughter body weight have been recorded for Ethiopian sheep breeds fed various type of basal and supplement diets. These parameters showed variation within a breed and among breeds in various feeding trials and they increased as the level of supplement increases. However, despite sizeable information upon the response of sheep to various types of supplementary feeding, their full growth and other production potential of the majority of sheep breeds of the country are not well studied. Therefore, in future research work, emphasis should be given to explore the genetic potential of various production traits of sheep breeds of the country. Regarding the level of reproduction, 11 to 16 month age at first lambing (for most sheep breeds) and 7 to 10 month lambing intervals have been reported by various authors. The litter size result (1.01 to 1.7 lambs) showed that, there is high capability of Ethiopian sheep to give multiple births. The average pre-weaning mortality rate for most Ethiopian sheep breeds vary from 8% to 56%, which indicated that mortality is a major constraint that affects productivity of sheep in Ethiopia. Generally from the previous results it can be concluded that there is high How to cite this paper: Ayele, S. and Urge, M.

The productivity of sheep in Ethiopia is very low mainly due to a serious shortage of feedstuff. As a result, it is necessary to look for cheap locally available feedstuffs to sustain sheep production in the country. Non-conventional feeds like grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.

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