Indigenous breeding practices and selection criteria of sheep breed in central zone of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim to generate organized information on traditional breeding practices and selection criteria for indigenous sheep types in three districts of central zone of Tigray, North Ethiopia. A total of 180 households were randomly sampled for the interview. A semi-structured questionnaire and group discussion were further used to gather information on sheep breeding practices and selection criteria. The primary reason for keeping sheep in Tanqua-Abergelle and KolaTembien districts were manure as sources of fertilizer, while in Adwa district cash income. In all the study districts the flock structure were dominated by breeding ewes and they accounted 38.5, 35.9 and 38.7% in Tanqua-Abergelle, Kola-Tembien and Adwa districts, respectively. Sexual maturity of female for Tanqua-Abergelle, Kola-Tembien and Adwa districts were 9.16±0.82, 8.75±1.34, and 8.86±1.04 months, respectively and for male 7.43±0.76, 6.67±0.91, and 6.64±0.95 months, respectively. Tail type and body size in Tanqua-Abergelle and Kola-Tembien were the most frequently reported traits in selecting breeding ram and ewes, while tail type and coat colour in Adwa district. Based on the present result on sheep indigenous breeding practices one may develop selection criteria and productivity schemes of the local sheep in the study districts.

Breeding Objective, Breeding Practices and Selection Criteria of Indigenous Sheep in Western Amhara, Ethiopia

“…This result was different from 7.33% and 14% of the household were kept their own breeding males in DebreLibanos and Wuchale, respectively (Abera et al, 2014a). In contrast to this, Abera et al (2014b) reported that above 23% and 50% native sheep keepers in Gubalafto and Habru lacked breeding rams types in North Wollo zone, And also districts in Tanqua-Abergelle (93.7%), Kola-Tembien (91.46 % ) and Adwa (86%) had their own indigenous breeding ram (Hagos et al, 2018). Whereas Sekela (65%), Farta (61.7%) and Lay Gayint (60%) sheep owners who do not have breeding ram, stated that they tend to use neighbor breeding ram or random mating with available rams at communal grazing and watering points.…”