Effects of non-genetic factors on performance traits of Kashmir Merino sheep

Data on 462 ewe lambs pertaining to newly developed Kashmir Merino by crossing Gaddi, Bhakarwal, Poonchi, Rambouillet and Merino over the six years (2005–2010) at Hardushiva, Sopore, Kashmir, J&K state were studied. The averages were 2.56 kg, 13.06 kg, 14.60 months, 19.60 months, 1.37 kg, 4.78 cm and 21.01 μ for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), age at first fertile service (AFFS), age at first lambing (AFL), greasy fleece weight (GFW), staple length (SL) and fiber diameter (FD), respectively. The least squares means were 2.82 kg, 13.31 kg, 14.74 months, 19.74 months, 1.4 kg, 5.22 cm and 20.95μ for BW, WW, AFFS, AFL, GF, SL and FD, respectively. The highest CV (%) was obtained for SL (26.65%). The effect of season of lambing was found significant on weaning weight and staple length. However, no definite trend was observed over the year and season of lambing for all the traits with the exception of birth weight and fiber diameter where decreasing and increasing trends were obtained respectionly over the season of lambing.