On-farm phenotypic characterization of indigenous sheep population and its cross with awassi in selected Districts of South Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract. Mohammed N, Alemayehu K, Getachew T. 2017. On-farm phenotypic characterization of indigenous sheep population and its cross with awassi in selected Districts of South Wollo, Amhara, This study aimed at investigating the phenotypic diversity of indigenous sheep breeds in selected districts of south Wollo highlands and to assess the effect of crossbreeding of Wollo sheep with Awassi on growth and morphological characters under stallholder management of eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. Three districts were selected purposely based on their sheep flock size, sheep production potential and their contribution to the farmers. Body weight and linear body measurements were taken from 525 mature indigenous sheep and Local x Awassi crossbred. Body weight and most of the linear body measurements of indigenous sheep population were significantly affected by the district. Crossbred had significantly higher body weight and body measurements than indigenous sheep in Legambo district. Sex had significant effect on body weight, wither height and rump height for Awassi crossbred. Body weight and all linear body measurements were significantly influenced by age group. Sex and age group interaction significantly affected body weight and most linear measurements of indigenous sheep, and significantly affected wither height and rump height of local x Awassi crossbred. There was a positive and strong correlation between body weight and chest girth of indigenous female sheep as well as between rump height, body length, chest girth, wither height and body weight of indigenous male sheep. Positive and strong correlation between body weight and chest girth was observed for Awassi crossbred female. Chest girth and body length for indigenous and local x Awassi crossbred sheep could be used for the prediction of body weight. The body weight of local x Awassi crossbred (28.75±0.49 kg) was higher than the indigenous sheep (22.19±0.41 kg) in Legambo district. As the conclusion indigenous sheep has potential for improving livelihood and economy of smallholder farmers using crossbred in the study areas.

On-farm phenotypic characterization of indigenous Tswana sheep population in selected Districts of Southern Botswana

“…Southern district Tswana sheep had the longest body length than sheep from other districts while Kweneng district sheep were the shortest. Body length of Tswana sheep in Kgatleng, Kweneng and Southern sheep were similar to those of Gozamen, Sinan and Hulet-eju sheep of Ethiopia (Michael et al, 2016) and longer than that of Borena and Legambo sheep of Ethiopia (Mohammed et al, 2017). Generally, Tswana sheep across the districts were shorter than Soddo Zuria and Damote Gale of Southern Ethiopia (Asaminew et al, 2016).…”

“…The least square means and standard errors for the effect of district on live body weight and other linear body measurements of indigenous Tswana sheep are presented in (Kunene et al, 2007) and heavier than several indigenous sheep of Ethiopia (Asaminew et al, 2016;Michael et al, 2016;Mohammed et al, 2017). Tswana sheep are however lighter than Balami and Uda sheep types from South, Middle belt and North West districts of Nigeria (Agaviezor et al, 2012).…”

“…Generally Tswana sheep had similar heart girth with Uda sheep of Nigeria (Agaviezor et al, 2012) and Hulet eju sheep in Ethiopia (Michael et al, 2016). The heart girth of Tswana sheep in the Southern district was higher than the heart girth of sheep in Wogide, Borena and Legambo districts of Ethiopia (Mohammed et al, 2017) and Sinan and Hulet eju sheep of Ethiopia (Michael et al, 2016). Southern district Tswana sheep had the longest body length than sheep from other districts while Kweneng district sheep were the shortest.…”

Multivariate analysis of phenotypic traits of indigenous sheep revealed new population in western part of Ethiopia

“…Information on live body weight and linear measurements of the existing breed types has a vital role in the selection Program [6]. (Table 2).…”

“…According to Kassahun and Solomon [5], Horro sheep breed is widely distributed in Shewa to East and West Wollega, Int J Agric Sc Food Technol 6(1): 050-057. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-815X.000055 body weight and body measurement variations which might be evidence of population stratifi cation in Wollo sheep breed [6]. Notable variation among indigenous population was observed within Wollo sheep population.…”