2014•Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)Requires access
Growth and reproductive performance of Deccani sheep in an organised farm
P. M. Mane, S. T. Pachpute, R. G. Nimase
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Abstract
The overall performance of Deccani sheep reared in an organized farm was recorded from 2007 to 2012. The overall least squares means of body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 3.44±0.01, 15.66±0.09, 22.04±0.13, 23.06±0.14 and 24.27±0.16 kg, respectively. Year of birth had significant (P<0.01) influence on 9 and 12 months body weights, while season of birth significantly (P<0.01/<0.05) affected the body weights at birth, 3 and 6 months of age. Lambs born in minor season were heavier than the lambs born in major season. Sex had significant (P<0.01) effect on all the stages of growth. The overall ages at first conception (AFC), age at first lambing (AFL) and lambing interval were 489.21±3.55, 638.91±3.56 and 307.90±1.37 days, respectively. The influence of year and season of birth was non-significant on AFC and AFL, while year of birth showed significant (P<0.01) influence on lambing interval.