Cndin Journl of Scientific Reserch 6(2): 23-37, 2017 IDOSI Pulictions, 2017 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.cjsr.2017.23.37 Reproductive Performnce nd Frmer s Trits of Interest nd Selection Criterion Studies of Wollo Highlnd Sheep nd Their F Crossreed Progenies 1 1 2 2 Tdesse Amre, Geeyehu Goshu nd Berhn Temir 1 Wollo University, Deprtment of Animl Science, College of Agriculture, Dessie, Ethiopi 2 Addis A University, Deprtment of Animl Production Studies nd College of Veterinry Medicine nd Agriculture, Bishoftu, Ethiopi Astrct: The study ws conducted on-frm conditions reproductive performnce ssessment nd reeding ewes nd rms selection criterions. The fet of the reserch ws conducted with questionnire survey, on spot oservtion of flock monitoring nd prticiptory-sed focus group discussions. The three strt formed y ville rm reed type for crossreeding t smllholder frming sitution. The first strt represented y Awssi F1crossred progenies, second strt represented y Wsher F 1 crossred progenies nd third strt is locl Wollo highlnd reed lms. The mximum numer of flock size for third strt 289.0 which greter thn first nd second strt. The overll men numer of lms, ewes, mted nd pregnnt ewes per flock comprised significnt vrition etween the three strt (p<0.05) nd higher with third strtum. The overll men numer of service per conception lso showed significnt vrition etween strt (p<0.05) nd ws higher in the third strtum 1.4 (0.2). Age t first mting, ge t first lming, single irth, twine irth, wening rte nd lming intervl vried significntly (p < 0.001) etween ech strtum. First strtum hd comprtivelly higher fertility rte 89.8% nd lower mortlity rte thn the third strtum. Lm mortlity due to disese nd drought were higher in the second strt 32.2% nd lower in the third strt 26.0%. Genetic improvement prctices t smllholder frming condition showed promising result of using Wsher rm crossed with Wollo highlnd ewes. Therefore, which designted for wening rte, ody size, mrketing ge, t first lming, good temperment nd lrge litter size trits? The contemporry reeding prctice tended to reduce flock size to improve flock productivity vi crossreeding prctices. The genetic improvement prctice should hve to emrce through controlled trit heritility test is crucil reserch question. Key words: Wollo Highlnd Breed Reproductive Performnce Trits of Interest nd Crossreed Progenies INTRODUCTION importnnce of sheep resources significntly contriuted for foreign currency erning ccounting for 34% of the Sheep production is mjor component of the live niml exports [2] in Ethiopi. Smll ruminnts livestock sector in Ethiopi owing to the lrge popultion ccount for 40% of csh income erned y frm of 25.4 million hed [1] nd the diverse genetic resources households, 19% of the totl vlue of susistence food [2]. In the highlnds of the country, out 75% of the derived from ll livestock production nd 25% of totl sheep popultion re found, while the remining 25% re domestic met consumption [4]. distriuted in the lowlnds [3]. Smllholder sheep The ojectives of improving indigenous sheep productions re the mjor source of food security serving productivity in Ethiopi hs een undertken utilizing diverse function including csh income, svings, severl exotic reed such s Merino reed from Itly, Bleu fertilizer, socio-culturl functions nd fire production. du Mine from Frnce, Rmouillet from Spin, Romney Sheep re prticulrly importnt for frmers in the nd Corriedle from Keny nd Hmpshire from UK [5] sulpine highlnds nd pstorlist/gropstorlist where were minly crossred with the indigenous Menz nd crop production is unrelile. Moreover, the socio-culurl Wollo highlnd reed. Consequently, due to ssumed Corresponding Author: Tdesse Amre, Wollo University, Deprtment of Animl Science, College of Agriculture, Dessie, Ethiopi. 23
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 phenotypic similrity with the locl sheep; Awssi reed from other Districts of the dministrtive Zone. Even ws imported from Isrel nd ws crossed with the though, the livelihood economy depend on crop indigenous Menz [5]. Conversely, efforts mde so fr did production, its strongly supported y livestock not ring significnt chnge in the re; minly ecuse production nd minly with sheep, cttle, got nd of sustinility prolems nd/or poor performnce of chicken production. The districts were historiclly chronic imported reeds hs creted negtive impct for genetic food insecure re for severl decdes ecuse of improvement prctices [6] nd Workneh [7]. In ddition, shortge of rin fil nd drought infected re. Sheep were the less involvement of sheep producers in the genetic sold to get immedite csh income through petty trding improvement progrmmes hve mostly een implemented including uying, fttening nd selling prctice. without tking into considertion the needs of the frmer [5]. Now dys smllholder sheep producers hve eing On-Frm Flock Mngement Prctice: Smllholder recogenised their interested trits from ville reed frmer s llowed their sheep flocks together (in groups) in through sujective evlution criterions of phenotype communl grzing lnd during dytime nd deprt trits. Hence, prrl with the utiliztion of exotic reed, during night time for enclosure in which they re housed frmers lso intersted to geneticlly superior indigenous together with other livestock seprted y woodlot. Some reed for genetics improvement prctices (crossreeding). frmers who own only smll flock do tie their sheep to However, the mjor prolems of sheep crossreeding peg. The min feed sources for sheep were grzing on which indicted y Workneh [7] nd Tio [5] were the privte nd communl nturl psture, improved forge lck of cler vision where to ring impct, lck of (snre grss, vetch). During crop hrvesting times, reproductive performnce recording t smllholder level, however, sheep hve ccess to feed crop ftermth. Some exclusive nture of sheep producer s trits of interest nd frmers give supplementl feeds (whet rn, milling nd incomptiility of the genotype with the existing locl rewery y-product, strw, slt nd rosted en) environment. Susistence frmers unlike commercil ones for the pregnnt nd nursing ewes, suckling lms nd tend to keep nimls for fmily need rther thn purely s cstrted rms. Breeding prctice is yer-round for flocks economic enterprise. They re keeping multi-purpose under smllholder mngement systems. Rms re nimls which produce met, milk, wool, skin eside their selected for mting sed on smllholder frmer s trits of trnsport nd drught service. For tht reson, it is interest. The phenotype ttriutes of rms nd ewes were importnt to consider ll tngile nd intngile roles of used s the mjor selection criterions. the reed, when defining reeding ojectives t smllholder frmers level [8]. Hence, frmer s selection Description of the Study Breeds criterions of their reeding ewes nd rms need to e Locl Wollo Highlnd Sheep Breed: Wollo highlnd recognized with their production ojectives. To ring sheep reed is one of the indigenous sheep reed found impct on the genetic potentil of the locl reed the in the highlnd prt of South Wollo dministrtive Zone reproductive performnce vlution of existed reed in the t North Est prt of Ethiopi. The production system is smllholder sheep producer s frming sitution lso the mixed crop livestock frming systems of smllholder cll for tsk. frmers. They re chrcterized y; short ft til with short Consequently, lots hs een done in on-sttion twisted/coiled end, occsionlly turned up t end; smll genetic improvement progrm ssessment in nucleus nd size; well-developed wooly undercot; predominntly su-nucleus frm level reeding prctices. However, lck, white or rown, either plin or with ptches of limited reserch effort hs een done t smllholder frm white, lck or rown; long hir with wooly undercot nd circumstnces ssessment of flock reproductive horned mles [2]. It is most commonly recognized y performnce, reeding ewes nd rms selection criterions. dpttion for feed shortge, high, lm survivl There for the ojectives of this study were to evlute percentge nd wool production [2]. existing reed reproductive performnce, frmer s trits of interest nd trit selection criterion t smllholder frmers Wsher Rm Crossed with Wollo Highlnd Ewes F1 reed improvement prctices. Crossred Progenies: Wsher sheep reed is one of the indigenous sheep reeds rered y the rurl frmers in the MATERIAL AND METHODS mixed crop livestock frming systems of northwestern highlnds of Ethiopi [9]. Lemm [9] reported tht the Livestock Popultion of the Study Are: Dessie Zuri nd Wsher reed hs n importnt genetic potentil for Kuter districts hd populous sheep production re growth nd dpttion to wide rnge of gro-climtic 24
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 conditions. Chipmn [11] hs lso reported their reltively under-represented due to chnce vrition in selections. fst growth rte under hrsh circumstnces with To ddress this prolem, PPS comined with strtified potentils to support frmers nd ntionl economy. pproch ws used. Hence, six pesnt ssocition res were strtified in Awssi Rm Crossed with Locl Wollo Highlnd Ewes F1 to three strt. Thus, the smpling frme ws selected Crossred Progenies The Awssi crossreeding projects from ech strtum. Hence, the first, second nd third were opertes y the Dere Birhn nd Amed Guy Sheep strt consisted of 230, 370 nd 675 household flocks s Multipliction center in Ethiopi. The multipliction center smpling frmes, respectively. Awssi rms F 1 crossreed hs een closed from 2004 to 2007 due to n outrek of progenies, Wsher rms F 1 crossreed progenies nd respirtory disese (Medi-visn) [10]. The Awssi locl Wollo highlnd sheep were clustered in the first, Wollo highlnd sheep reed crossreeding scheme second nd third strtum, respectively. Then the smpling involves importtion of pure Awssi rms, production of frctions from ech strtum were synthesized nd smpled 3/4 Awssi Wollo highlnd sheep crossred progenies elements were drwn. First decided the strtum which hs in guguftu privte reed multipliction center, distriution the smllest size then divided the size of ech strtum y of 6- month-old 3/4 Awssi crossreed rm lms to the smllest strtum [12, 13] using the equestion. villgers nd upgrding of the villge flocks to 75% Awssi [10] with ck crossing. Proportionl size of the three strt Reserch Design: The study res were strtified in to three strt. The first, second nd third strt comprised 675 370 230 were: = : : 2 : 2 :1 230 230 230 Awssi rms F1crossred progenies, Wsher rms F1 Thus, these proportions men tht; when 3 crossred progenies nd locl Wollo highlnd progenies, households drwn from locl Wollo highlnd sheep reed respectively. The strtified res were done y the owners, t the sme time there should e 2 nd 1 ssumption of ville rm reed type, sheep popultion, households drw from Wsher rms F 1 crossred gro-ecology similrity, flock mngement system, progenies nd Awssi rms F 1 crossred progenies reeding strtegies nd producers reeding ojectives. owners, respectively. In this wy the smple drwn s The min fets of dt collection were conducted y proportionl to size strtified method from ech strtum. questionnire survey, flock monitoring, prticiptory Accordingly, this proportionlity the smpling rtio ws sed focus group discussion. Thus, producer s reeding clculted using ddition of proportions (3+2+1), which ojectives, reeding strtegies nd flock structure gve the product (6), s vlue of totl proportion. Finlly, informtion were gthered vi questionnire survey nd it ws divided the smllest proportion which equls to 1 group discussion. ythe totl proportion of 6 nd the smpling rtio were, 0.17 0.2( or 1 ) 6 for ll strt. Then the elements of the smple drwn from Smpling Methods ech strtum were = 0.2*675=135 household flocks were Purposive Smpling: Dessie-zuri nd Kuter Districts selected from locl Wollo highlnd sheep reed flocks. nd six pesnt ssocition res (four from Dessie-Zuri Wheres, 0.2*370 = 74 household flocks selected from nd two from Kuter) were selected y purposive Wsher rms F 1 crossred progenies. Similrly 0.2*230 smpling method. It ws sed on infrstructure = 46 household flocks were selected from Awssi rms F1 ccessiility, sheep popultion, vilility of Awssi nd crossred progenies [12,13]. Therefore, 255 smpled Wsher rms nd crossreeding prctices nd uniformity household flocks (135 from locl Wollo highlnd reed, 74 of existing reeding strtegies. After the decision of from Wsher rms F 1 crossred progenies nd 46 from household smple size y the strtified smpling method Awssi rms F1crossred progenies) were rndomly ech individul smpling unites ws selected y selected from the three strt. purposive smpling techniques. Dt Collection Methods: Multistge questionnire Strtified Proility Proportionl to Size (PPS) survey used vi semi-structured questionnire nd focus Smpling: Strtified proility proportionl to size (PPS) group discussion were held t ech three strt smpling hs the drw ck of vrile smple size nd household flock owners, development gents, experts nd different portions of the popultion my still e over- or niml helth technicin. The questionnire were initilly 25
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 pre-tested on key informnts nd djusted efore where, Rn=vlue given for the lest rnked level (exmple dministrted for ctul respondents.through if the lest rnk is 9th, then Rn= 9, Rn-1=8, R1=1). Cn = questionnire survey nd group discussion frmer s trits Counts of the lest rnked level (in the ove exmple, the of interest, reeding ewes selection criterions of lm count of the 9th rnk = Cn nd the count of the 1st rnk = survivl rte/ flock, twins rte, temperment, lm growth C1) Mus et l. [14]. rte, lming intervl, prentl history, til type nd ody conformtion dt were collected. Likewise, reeding rms Lest Squre Men Anlysis Vrince: The fixed effect selection criterions of ody size, growth rte, cot color, model of ANOVA of reproductive performnce trits in ody conformtion, hir type, met chrcterestics, ech reed type (Awssi F 1 crossred progenies, mrketing vlue, horn orienttion nd til typedts were Wsher crossred progenies nd locl Wollo highlnd) collected. were nlyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS [15] to On spot oservtion of flcok monitoringdt seprte nd compred the different groups of men. collection method, reproductive performnce informtion Tukey's studentized rnge significnce test used to on numer of reeding ewes/flock, numer of reeding seprte different group mens. rms/flock, numer of lm/flock, numer of lms /ewes, numer of pregnncies /flock, numer of prturtion/flock, Model 1:. Reproductive performnce emryonic mortlity, numer of service/conception, ge t first mting nd lming, numer of single nd twin Yi j= µ + i+ eij irth/ flock, lming rte, lming intervl nd wening rtewere gthered from Wollo highlnd sheep nd their F1 where: Yij= Reproductive performnce trits (reeding crossred progenies to e compred nd contrsted ech ewes /flock, reeding rms /flock, lms /flock, other. lms/ewes, pregnncies /flock, prturition /flock, emryonic mortlity /flock, service /conception, ge t Dt Anlysis first mting, ge t first lming, lming rte Rnking Anlysis: Smllholder sheep producers (irth/yer/ewes), lming intervl nd ge t wening). reeding rms nd ewes selection criterions of lm survivl rte/ flock, twins rte, temperment, lm growth µ = Men rte, lming intervl, prentl history, til type nd ody i = Fixed effect of the ith reed type or strt (Awssi conformtion were nlyzed vi index method of rnking. nd Wsher rms F 1 crossred progenies nd locl Likewise, reeding rms selection criterions of ody size, Wollo highlnd reed) growth rte, cot color, ody conformtion, hir type, e ij = Effect of the ith rndom error of mesurements met chrcteristics, mrketing vlue, horn orienttion nd til type informtion were lso nlyzed using index Explntory Sttistics Anlysis of Reproductive method of rnking nlyses. Performnce Trits: Ewe s reproductive performnce prmeters of fertility rte, prolificcy rte, lm survivl rte nd wening rte, for given cndidte flock were nlysed y explntory methods: 26
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 RESULT AND DISCUSSION Breeding Ewe's Selection Crterion nd Frmers Trits of Interest: In present study, the recognized selection criterions of reeding ewe s were lm survivl rte, twin rte, prentl history, lming intervl, temperment, lm growth rte, til type nd ody conformtion were in the order of their importnce s (Tle 1). Getchew [19] reveled tht, Menz sheep reeders considered lming intervl, mothering ility, ility to give multiple irth (twining) nd cot color type s the first four resons for ewe selection criterions nd in greement with present study. He lso stted tht, Afr sheep reeders were considered milk yield, mothering ility, ppernce nd/or size of ewe nd lming intervl s the four more importnt trits nd which is different from the present study. Which stipulted tht, ewe s selection criterion in the crop-livestock mixed frming nd pstorl production system hd different. Asresu et l. [16] reportd tht, ody conformtion trit ws first rnked for oth reeding rms nd ewes t smllholder sheep producers selection purpose. Eventhough, ody conformtion ws lst rnked in the present study, its prefered one of reeding ewes selection criterion. Kosgey et l. [18], Khs [17] lso reveled tht, litter size ws one of the most economiclly importnt ttriutes for reeding ewes. Khs [17] lso reported tht, functionl trits hve the highest solute nd reltive economic vlues in Menz nd Horro reeds. In the current finding producers were prefered economic trits of ewe s ttriute nd ingreement with Kosgey et l. [18]nd Khs [17]. Thus, this study reveled tht, reeding ewes were selected y producer s trit of interest of lm survivl rte, mothering ility nd twinning rte were the three most importnt trits (Tle 1). Smllholder sheep producer s interest hd multiple of ttriutes to e improved their reeding ojectives. However, most reserchers often distinguished only the first three top trits of interes. Therefore, multiple trit selection need to e considered for the wide-rnging turnover of the flock productivity. Further more culling prctices t smllholder level need to void keeping unproductive ewes for longer time in flock. Breeding ewes selection criterion is one of the fctor tht determine the productivity nd reproductive performnce. Thus, sheep producers, reserchers nd Tle 1: Index nlysis of smllholder frmers trits of interest nd ewe's ttriutes Ewe s selection criterion Weighted Averge (*W) Index Rnk Lm survivl rte per ewes 656 0.190 1 Twin rte 649 0.154 2 Temperment 545 0.125 5 Lm growth rte 528 0.124 6 Lming intervl 606 0.126 4 Prentl history 630 0.127 3 Til type 505 0.082 7 Body conformtion 488 0.081 8 Tle 2: Index rnking nlysis of rm's ttriute for producers reeding ojective Study prmeters Weighted Averge (*W) Index Rnk Body size 1497 0.175 1 Growth rte 1354 0.159 2 Cot color 1045 0.102 5 Body conformtion 1058 0.103 4 Hir type 1011 0.083 8 Mrketing vlue 1094 0.135 3 Horn orienttion 1018 0.085 7 Til type 1044 0.089 6 Met chrcterestics 942 0.071 9 development gents hve to focus on producer s interested trits during reeding ewes selection efore commencing crossreeding ctivities. Breeding Rms Selection Criterions nd Frmers Trits of Interest: Currently smllholder on-frm sheep producers were eing enhnced understnding to select their interested ttriutes of reeding rms selection from existing reeds nd their crossred progenies. When producers select reeding rm for reeding purpose, the mjor considerle ttriutes were presented in tle 2 in the order of their importnce. Hence, ody size, growth rte nd Mrketing vlue were the first, second nd third rnk of rm selection criterions, respectively. Khs [17] reported tht, economic vlues of functionl trits were improved when incresing the price of reeding rms. Therefore, this indicted tht, higher vlue to reeding rms rther thn fttened purpose; since reeding rm is considered geneticlly vlule s prent for the next genertion. According to Getchew [19], ody conformtion of reeding rm rnked first for oth Menz nd Afr sheep owners nd which is mostly in greement with the present study of reeding rm selection criterion. 27
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 Ydet nd Mnzur [20] reported tht, ody finding of 15.9 (0.62) nd 8.45 (0.22) in highlnd nd mid conformtion (size) selected s first preferences trit for highlnd of Tigry region in Ethiopi, respectively. Gizw reeding rm in ll the three gro-ecologicl zones nd et l. (30) reported in su-lpine sheep rely nd pstorl which ingreement with current finding. Getchew [19] system numer of ewes/ flock were 14.7 ± 8.6 nd 11.3 ± lso reveled tht, ody size ws primry rm selection 7.8, respectively nd much higher thn the present ttriute oth in mixed crop-livestock nd pstorl finding. The sme uthor lso reported tht, in perennil production systems in Menz nd Afr res, respectively. crop-livestock nd cerel livestock system the men Zewudu et l. [12] in Adiyo Kk district of Kff zone numer of ewes per flock were 3.7 ± 2.7 nd 3.9 ± 2.8, ws presented ody size s first preference ttriute nd respectively nd to some extent it s greter thn current colour ws second nd til formtion ws third rm finding (Tle 3). Agyemng et l. [24] reported 74.8% selection criterion. Fshtsion [22] in Gmo Gof zone femle, 22.4% entire mles nd 2.8 % cstrted for Menz reported tht, ody size ws s primry criteri in mid- sheep in the trditionl sheep production systems of ltitude. Getchew [19] lso reveled tht, ody Ethiopin highlnds. Mengistie [23] lso reveled tht, conformtion rnked first for oth Menz nd Afr sheep Wshr sheep flock constituted 81% femles, 17.3% owners nd wheres, growth rte, cot colour, til size nd intct mles nd 1.7% cstrted in trditionl wy of shpe nd mting ility were rnked second, third, fourth proroduction system. In Southern prt of Ethiopi nd fifth in Menz re. This indicted tht, ody size ws Endshew [25] reported tht, 53.5% reeding femles, the commone nd first trit of interest to select reeding 10.6% nd 8.8% suckling femle nd mle, respectively, rm in ll gro-ecologicl zone of the country. The ove 13.8% intct mles nd 13.4% cstrted nd fttening uthors reveled tht, lrge ody size, fst growth rte, mles. Similrly Tsedeke, [54] reveled tht, 39.3% mrketing vlue, ody conformtion, drought tolernce, reeding ewes nd 27.6% lms nd 3.6% cstrted nd cot colour, til formtion, horn orienttion, liido nd hir fttening mles in Al specil district of southern type phenotype ttriutes were preferle for future region of Ethiopi. Getchew [19] once gin reported genetic improvement prctices y smllholder producers. tht, the rtio of reeding rms to ewes were 1:8.3 nd Generlly with the ove mentioned preferle 1:17.4 in Menz nd Afr sheep flocks, respectively. reeding rm trits villge community hd rm exchnge Further more, Aee [26] nd Solomon [27] reported tht, experience during reeding prctices for long period of 1:7.5 for Menz sheep nd 1:6.7 for Gumuz sheep, time. This experience enled them to hve common respectively. In other re of the country Solomon, et l. interest of reeding gol nd mutully genetic [28] in Est Wolleg nd West Shew reported tht, mle improvement efforts. Eventhough, the pst reed to femle rtio of 1:12 otined for Horro sheep. Generlly improvement efforts didn t relized on genetic in present study of Wollo highlnd sheep production re improvement trget, producers hd otined lessons from the numer of mle to femle rtio were much more lower pst efforts. Therefore, nowdys villge community hd thn Getchew [19], Aee [26] nd Solomon [27] nd their own reeding strtegies with introduction of new Solomon et l. [28]. Therefore, this finding indicted tht, rm reed type from ville re ccording to their smller propertion of mle to femle rtion might hve n common trits of interest. dvntge to reduce inreeding cofficient nd since single rm might hve chnce of mted with smll Reproductive Performnce numer of reeding ewes. Hence, the prolificncy nd Breeding Ewes nd Rms Proportion in the Flock: nnul lming rte of ewes per flock were higher. In The numer of reeding rms etween the three strtum generl the present study reveled tht, the rtion of rms were didn t hve significntly vrtion. The current to ewes were elow the recommended level nd extr finding reveled tht, 39% lms, 29.2% reeding ewes, numer of rms might e incresed feed cost nd other 13.3% reeding rms (pproximtly equls to 1:2.2 mngementl input. reeding rms to ewes rtio) nd the remining were ftten nd unfertile sheep (Tle 3) nd in greement with Numer of Lms Born per Yer per Flocks: The overll Getchew et l. [31, 32]. However, the numer of ewes men numer of lms orn per yer per flock hd etween strtum hd significnt vrtion (p=0.05) nd significntly difference (p=0.05) etween the three strt higher numer of ewes in second strtum (Tle 3). The (Tle 3). Thus, second strtum hd significntly higher overll men numer of ewes per/flock/yer ws (p=0.05) numer of lms per flock nd lms per ewes presented in Tle 3 nd much lower thn Fshtsion [22] thn first nd third strt (Tle 3). The reson ehind 28
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 Tle 3: Lest squire mens of on-frm nnul flock reproductive performnce vlution. Numer of strt/ Breed type -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First strt (n=46) Second strt (n=74) Third strt Overll Annul flock reproductive performnce trits Men ±SE Men ±SE Men ±SE Men ±SE P-vlue Breeding ewes /flock 3.2 (1.6) 3.5 (1.0) 3.3 (4.2) 3.3 (2.3) ** Breeding rms /flock 0.4 (0.0) 1.1 (0.0) 1.4 (0.2) 0.9 (0.0) ns Lms /flock 6.2 (2.0) 8.3 (2.7) c 7.7 (2.8) c 7.4 (2.3) ** Lms/ewes 1.9 (0.6) 2.4 (0.0) 2.3(1.0) 2.2 (0.8) ** Pregnncies /flock 5.6 (2.9) 7.3 (1.0) 7.1 (2.1) c 6.3 (2.7) ** Prturition /flock 4.4 (2.0) 5.7 (1.0) c 5.4 (1.6) c 5.2 (1.5) ** Emryonic mortlit /flock 1.2 (0.7) 1.6 (0.0) 1.7 (0.7) 1.4 (0.5) ** Service /conception 1.3 (0.1) 1.1 (0.0) 1.4 (0.2) 1.3 (0.1) ** Age t first mting 6.3 (0.7) 5.0 (0.6) c 7.0 (0.8) d 6.1 (2.5) *** Age t first lming c 11.9 (0.7) 10.1 (3.0) 12.3 (0.1) c 11.4 (3.6) *** Single irth /flock 2.6 (1.3) 3.1 (1.0) 3.1 (4.0) 2.9 (1.1) *** Twin irth /flock 1.8 (0.8) 2.6 (0.0) 2.3 (2.8) 2.2 (0.9) *** Lming rte (irth/yer/ewes) 1.4 (0.2) 1.6 (0.2) 1.6 (0.2) 1.5 (0.6) ns Lming intervl 6.3 (2.7) 5.8 (1.6) 6.1 (3.0) 6.1 (2.1) ** Age t wening 5.8 (0.6) 4.6 (1.0) 6.3 (1.0) 5.6 (1.9) ns First strtum = Awssi rms crossed with locl Wollo highlnd ewes F1crossreed progenies, second strtum = Wsher rms crossed with locl Wollo highlnd ewes F1crossreed progenies, third strtum = locl Wollo highlnd sheep reed progenies. might e prolific nture of rm reed effect in second femle of less thn 6 months) per flock crop-livestock strtum (Wsher rm) thn Awssi rm in first strtum production system re nd which ws less thn the nd locl Wollo highlnd rms in third strtum. The sme current finding lming rte (Tle 3). Lrge numer of reed type of dm ws used in ll strt, however, lms per flock implies tht higher lming rte of ewes different rm reed type nd numer of ewes per flock nd in turn might increse the intensity of within reed might hve n effect on numer of lms orn per yer per selection. In smllholder sheep production context high flock. Mrkos et l. [5] reported tht, 0.92 lms per ewes lming rte of ewes were more importnt to increse flock per yer were recorded for Menz indigenous reed type size nd numer of slele lms to e exposed to locl nd which less thn the present study. While, Kosgey [8] mrket. Hence, smllholder sheep producers hd the long reported tht verge numer of lms per ewes per yer yer experience of exploittion of lms s csh crop for were 1.5 in the smllholder frmers nd in pstorl re their immedite household needs. For this reson, fst were similr with tropicl region. While, the current growing once were sold t erly ged nd kept for short finding reveled tht, overll men numer of lms per durtion of time in the flock, ut slow growing lms ewes per yer ws greter thn Kosgey [8] nd Mrkos [5] (stgnted growth) kept for long period of time within report. Wheres, Derie [29] lso reported tht, nnul flock tht mostly used for reeding purpose nd lming rte of Al ewes in Southern Region of consequence of negtive selection. Ethiopi ws 1.2 lms per ewes per yer nd which much lower thn current finding. Averge Age t First Mting nd Lming: In the current Gizw et l. [30] lso reported tht, the men numer study the overll verge ge t first mting of ewe lms of lms per flock per yer in su-lpine sheep rely, were ttined t 6.1±2.5 months with significnt (p= perennil crop-livestock, cerel livestock nd pstorl 0.0001) vrtion etween strt (rm reeds). The second system of sheep production re were 6.3 ± 4.2, 4.0 ± 1.6, strtum (Wsher rm F 1 crossred progenies) hd 1.9 ± 1.3 nd 5.4 ± 4.7, respectively. However, the current significntly (p= 0.0001) lower ge t first mting thn first study hd grter numer of lming rte thn Gizw et l. strtum with (Awssie rm F 1 crossred progenies) nd [30]nd tht might e the effect of greter prolificcy rte third strtum with (Wollo highlnd reed progenies). nd short lming intervl performnce of the ewes. Muks-Mugerw et l.[34] reveled tht, in most Getchewet l. [33] hd lso reported tht, 1.86 lms situtions estrus ws oserved in ewe lms t the ge of orn per ewes per flock in Wollo highlnd re nd it ws 5 to 6 months nd which indicted tht, puerty might e illustrted higher numer of lms orn per ewe which ttined t erlier ge, ut fertility will only improve with coincide with present study (Tle 3). The sme uthor ge nd weight. Begum et l. [38] reported tht, the ge t [19] lso reported tht; 6.3 ± 4.2 lms (oth mle nd puerty vried from 5-11 months nd ewe lms on 29
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 supplemented group reched puerty t significntly Previous reserch showed tht conception nd (p<0.05) younger ge (6.22± 1.31 months) thn controlled lming rtes (lms orn/ewes mted) were ffected y group (8.43±1.15 months). As the level of supplement feed reed type [3]. Menz ewes hd 81% lming rte incresed from low to medium nd high energy level, the compred to 76% of Horro ewes [43] in comprle ge t first mting decresed y 71, 153 nd 155 dys, mngement condition nd which indicted tht, 19% nd respectively [55]. However, the current finding ws 24% of emrionic mortlity were recorded. However, in the reveled tht, ge t first mting (puerty) within current study ws 86% of lming rte t on frmers smllholder mngement condition of ewe lms were sitution which much more greter thn Menz nd Horro mted t erlier ge thn most other finding. Its might e ewes. Muks-Mugerw nd Lhlou-Kssi [3] reported = erlier mturing ehvior of the reed or the effect of 90% conception rtes, 72% lming rte for Menz ewes. hyrid-vigor of the dm nd sire. This suggested tht, moderte emryonic mortlity ws Berhnu nd Aynlem [35] ws presented 404 dys oserved. Ass [44] lso reported tht, ortion rte under villge mngement conditions in southwestern ws high nd vrile within 3.7 to 40% mong reeding Ethiopi. Gizw et l. [30] furthermore recently reported femles. In the current finding overll men numer of tht, the sme pttern ws found for Afr sheep reed emryonic mortlity ws reported s 0.7 to 9.3% per flock under pstorl mngement condition. Muks-Mugrw nd which slightly resemling with Muks-Mugerw nd nd Lhlou-Kssi [3] were presented ge t first lming Lhlou-Kssi [3]. In the present study emryonic were t 450 dys for Menz ewes. Other studies reported mortlity hd significntly higher (p= 0.05) in second nd tht, ge t first lming for Menz reed were 495 dys third strt thn the first strt t field mngement [36], 511.8 dys [37] nd 450-660 dys [26]. Moreover, condition. Service per conception lso hd significnt Zewdu nd Tesfye [45&19] reported 400 nd 470 dys of difference (p=0.05) etween strt nd higher in the third ge t first lming, for Horro nd Menz sheep reed, strtum followeded y first strtum. However, the second respectively. In generl the current study reveled tht, strtum hd significntly (p=0.05) lower service per short nd fster ge t first lming nd which ws ellow conception thn first nd third strt. The reson ehind the ntionl verge of 342 ± 108 dys t smllholders this might e the effect of fertility difference of rm reed sheep producer s production circumstnces (Tle 3) type. Therefore, further investigtion on fertility of rm were oserved. The reson ehind might e the potentil effect on service per conception nd emryonic mortlity of the reed endowed with erly mturing ehviors. might e importnt.the numer of service per conception However, the effect of suplimentry diet on the ge t first might e ffected y mngement prctices nd fertility of mting nd lming re need to e investigted with in rms. Hence, fertile rm selection with mngement controlled sitution. improvement prctice need to understnd for service per conception rte nd emryonic mortlity improvement Service per Conception nd Aortion Rte per Flock: ctions. Reproductive performnces of ewes/ flock were lso determined y the verge vlue of service per Numer of Twin nd Single Birth/flock nd Flock conception, prturition/flock, fetl losses in the flocks. Prolificcy Rte: The numer of twince nd single irth Hundie [41] recently reported tht, men numer of per flock per yer hd significnt difference (p = 0.0001) services per conception were 1.3±0.56 for Horro ewes etween first strtum nd second strtum. The higher twin under trditionl mngement sitution in Western irth ws recorded in second strtum followeded y third Ethiopi Horro Guduru re nd which ingreement with strtum (Tle 3) nd the reson ehind this fct might e current study with 1.3±0.1 numer of service per the rm reed effect on flock prolificcy rte in second conception. Accordingly Muks-Mugerw et l. [42] strtum. The numer of twin irth per flock etween conception rte were 88.2% nd 79.1% for Menz sheep second nd third strtum hd no significnce reed t dry nd wet seson, respectively. The uthor differences. Wheres, the numer of single irth per lso reveled tht, 77.6% nd 71.7% for Horro sheep reed flock were significntly (p = 0.0001) higher in the first t dry nd wet seson, respectively through hormonl strtum thn second nd third strt. This indicted tht, tretment of synchronistion.wheres, Muks-Mugerw the Awssi rm reed hs lower possility of prolificcy nd Lhlou-Kssi [3] reported tht, conception rte with rte potentil thn locl Wollo highlnd reed nd first mting of 69% nd 78% of for puertl nd mture Wsher F 1 crossred. However, overll men numer of ewes, respectively. twin nd single irth per flock were 2.2±0.9 nd 2.9±1.1, 30
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 respectively t smllholder frming condition. This tiwn Lming Intervl: In the current study lming intervl irth per flock ws comprised the nnul prolificcy rte ws significntly shorter in the second strtum thn first of ewes per yer were134.4, 150.0 nd 143.8%, respectively nd third strt. Thus, the second strtum generted more for first, second nd third strt (numer of offspring numer of lms per ewes per yer it might e short produced per yer/ numer of irth per ewes/yer *100). lming intervl. However, lming intervl hd no Hence, oth nnul tiwn irth nd prolificcy rte significnt difference etween first nd third strtum. indicted tht, the second strtum higher thn first nd Lming intervl ws the intervl etween two successive third strt. The overll, prolificcy rte ws 142.7% in the prturitions nd it cn e ffected y seson of lming present study. Ermis et l. [46] reported tht, litter size or nutritionl ccessiility, reed types, numer of prities minly influenced y reed, level of nutrition, seson nd of ewes nd mngement prctice [52]. Reproductive ge extensively. The verge litter size or prolificcy rte efficiency lso ffected y the length of prturition ws otined y Fshtsion et l. [22] in the trditionl intervl i.e. ewes with long lming intervl hd lower sheep production nd reeding prctice in Gmogof lming rte efficiency [29]. Girm [53] reported tht, t Zone, Southern Ethiopi ws 1.3 lms per hed, however, lest three times lming is expected per two yers under less thn the present study. Wheres, Muks-Mugerw norml circumstnces. Lming intervl were recorded in et l. [42] reported 1.13 for Menz nd 1.14 for Horro Menz sheep with 8 nd hlf months nd Afr sheep with Ethiopin highlnds sheep nd much lower thn the 9 months [19], however, inthis study the shortest lming current finding. In other prt of the country Hundie [41] intervl recorded in the second strtum. Previously moreover reported tht, Western Ethiopi Horro Guduru Solomon [27] reported short lming intervl in the re ws 1.57 ±0.52 liter size per ewes nd which ws country for Gumuz sheep reed (6.64 months), however ingreement with second strtum of current finding. the present finding overll lming intervl ws the Inddition ccording to Zewdu [47] twining rte of 39.9 % shortest one nd cn produce three lming in two yers or litter size of 1.40 nd 36 % or litter size of 1.36 were even under the trditionl mngement system. otined for Horro nd Bong sheep reeds, respectively According to Zewdu [47] finding lming intervl ws nd whch ws mostly ingreement with the current round 8.9 months for Bong ewes nd 7.8 month for finding of third nd first strt, respectively. Ingenerl, the Horro ewes nd it lso geter thn the current report of current study nnul prolificy rte ws greter (Tle 3) overll lming intervl. While, the current study thn Menz nd Horro sheep reed when compired with indicted tht, overll men lming intervl of 6.1 (2.1) Muks-Mugerw et l. [42] report, however, ingreement months nd which ws the shortest lming intervl with Hundie [41] nd Zewdu [47] for Horro sheep reed contrst with Solomon [27], Getchew [19], Zewdu [47] litter size. Bker et l. [48] lso stted tht, until the ge of nd Mekuriw [63] for Gumuz, Menz, Afr, Bong, Arsiewes were ttined five yers or fourth prity, liter size le nd Wsher sheep locl reeds. Mekuriw [63] lso cn e incresed then it likley to decresed slightly ove reported tht, 7.8, 8, 7-10 nd 9 months of lming intervl, this ge. Aegz et l. [50] nd Berhn nd vn Arendonk for Arsi-le, Bong, Menz nd Wsher sheep reed, [43] reported tht there were no significnt differences in respectively. Gethun [54] nd Diiss [40] lso reported litter size etween Horro nd Menz ewes, which my tht, possiility of ttining three prturitions from equte to no differences in ovultion rte. However, the indigenous smll ruminnts in two yers with trditionlly nnul progrm report of ILCA [51] reported tht litter size mnged sheep ws influenced y vrious fctors ws slightly higher in Menz (1.16) thn in Horro ewes including previous litter type, prity nd lming seson. (1.13). The mngement system is lso mjor source of Generlly, Wollo highlnd sheep hd shortest lming vrition in litter size s reported y Mekuriw et l. [49]; intervl most other Ethiopin sheep reeds nd greter this is indeed the cse of Wsher sheep for which possility to collect more numer of offspring per yer per performnces were significntly higher under frm ewes nd resulted lrge flock size t smllholder sheep mngement in comprison to on-sttion. The overll producers condition. prolificcy rte in the current study reveled tht, comprle vlue with most other locl sheep reed with Ewe s Reproductive Performnce Attriutes hd higher prolificcy rte in the country. Consequently, Fertility Rte: Fertility rte defined s the numer of together with other reproductive performnce trits femles tht given irth per the totl numer of femles overll prolificcy rte of locl Wollo highlnd sheep exposed to mting in the given flocks. The current study reed hd considerle vlue for reed improvement reveled tht, nnul overll fertility rte of ewes per flock ctivities. ws 86% nd it hd vrition etween the three strt nd 31
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 Tle 4: Descriptive nlysis of ewe s reproductive performnce ttriutes Annul ewe s reproductive trits First strt Second strt Third strt Overll Averge Fertility rte (%) 89.8 84.3 86.3 86.8 Prolificcy rte (%) 134.4 150.0 143.8 142.7 Wening rte (%) 132.7 128.1 155.4 138.7 Lm survivl rte (%) Birth- 90 dys 86. 8 88.1 88.0 87.6 91-180 dys 98.3 88.5 93.2 93.3 181-270 dys 91.4 93.3 95.1 93.2 271-365 dys 92.4 95.6 94.9 94.3 Overll nnul survivl rte (%) 68.5 65.5 71.2 68.4 Mortlity ecuse of disese nd drought (%) 27.9 32.2 26.0 28.7 Mortlity ecuse of predtor (%) 3.6 2. 8 2. 3 2.9 Overll nnul mortlity rte (%) 31.5 34.5 28. 3 31.6 First strtum = Awssi rm crossed with locl Wollo highlnd ewes clustered re, Second strtum = Wsher rm crossed with locl Wollo highlnd ewes clustered re nd Third strtum = locl Wollo highlnd sheep clustered re. which might e rm reed effect. Therefore, first strtum impertive reproductive performnce ehvior t existing hd higher nnul fertility rte thn second nd third smllholder production condition. Hence, if this reed strtum. Higher fertility rte indicted tht, higher commertilly used for reproductive purpose high offtke conception rte of the given reed type. The present rte might e oserved due to fst lming rte. Its study overll fertility rte ws higher thn the report importnt for improvement in flock size nd nnul csh presented y Berhn nd Arendonk [55] for Menz nd income. In the present study smllholder sheep producers Horro reed of70.2 nd 79.5%, respectively. Derie [29] were extremely dependent on csh croping from sheep lso reported tht, fertility rte is 54.04% for south sle. western prt of Ethiopin sheep reed nd much lower thn current study. The present finding of fertility rte Lm Survivl nd Weningrte: Survivl rte is the totl ws slightly comprle with Tsedeke, Ros et l. [56] numer of offspring wened per totl numer of offspring 83.6%. However, Muks-Mugerw nd Lhlou-Kssi [3] produced. Awgichew [59] reported tht, survivl rte were reported higher fertility rtes of 90% for Menz ewes etween irth nd wening (90 dys) ge ws 89% nd which greter thn the current finding. On the other study 76% for Menz nd Horro reed, respectively. In the Muks-Mugerw et l. [42] ws reported fertility rte for present study the overll servivl rte t the ge etween Menz nd Horro ewes were 73 nd 65%, respectively. irth to wening (90 dys) ws 87.6% which is slightly Vrious litertures indicted tht, difference fertility rte lower thn Menz nd pprecily higher thn tht of within the reed were oserved nd might e difference in Horro lms survivl rte. Khs [17] lso reported tht, producer s mngement prctices. Ros et l. [57] lso Menz lms shown higher survivl rte from irth to 180, reported for Romney Mrsh nd Merino Brnco ewes hd 270 nd 365 dys of ge (81, 71 nd 62%) compred to 96 nd 93% of fertility rte, respectively t intensive Horro (51%, 39% nd 37%), respectively. However, its mngement condition. While, Mour1 et l. [58] hd lso lower thn the present study lms servivl rte t irth presented 86.8% nd 98.3% of fertility rte in the durtion to 90, 91to180, 181 to 270 nd 271 to 365 dys of ge (87.6, of dry nd riny seson for Snt Inês ewes in estern 93.3, 93.2 nd 94.3%), respectively. Survivl rte were Amzon t intensive mngement sitution. Muks- oserved incresing rte in ll strt t the ge of irth to Mugerw et l. [42] reported tht, the effect of reed, 365 dys. On the other hnd, its slightly greter in second seson nd yer hd significnt vrtion on fertility rte. (Wsher rm F 1 crossred) nd third strt (Wollo Although, fertility rte ws high in the present study of highlnd reed) thn the first strtum (Awssie rm F1 on-frm mngement prctice, controlled or intensive crossred progenies) from the ge of 180 to 365 dys. mngement system of fertility rte evlution might e It might e the dptlity differences of the reed importnt for the confirmtion of potentil effect of reed effect. Mengistie et l. [60] reported tht, 98.4± 0.6, 93.6 ± on reproductive performnce. If the mngement system 0.9, 91.2± 1.1, 90.0± 1.2 nd 89.9± 1.2% of survivl t the improved the fertility of the reed might e improved ge of 30, 90, 180, 270 nd 365 dys, respectively nd ecuse of ovultion rte nd oestrus cycle influnced y which is slightly comprle with the current finding nutrition. Generlly, Wollo highlnd sheep reed hs (Tle 4). 32
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 Conversely Tio [5] reported tht, pre-wening strtum (Awssi rm F 1 crossreed progenies) hd to mortlity of 33.1% for Horro nd 19.2% for Menz sheep some extent lower survivl rte thn second nd third were recorded nd which is ingreement with first strt strt; however, its eing presenttion of cceptle (Tle 4) in the current study. However, Berhn nd Vn- doptive feture t smllholder frming condition. Arendonk [43] found n overll mortlity rte for Menz Wsher F 1 crossreed progenies hd comprle nd Horro reeds of 13.5% nd 27%, respectively t on- survivl rte with locl Wollo highlnd reed progenies sttion mngement circumstnce. While, the current nd the reson ehind this might e the indigenous study reveled tht much higher overll mortlity rte chrcter of the reed mke etter doption with locl (31.6%) t villge mngement sitution compred with environment. Hence, crossreding prctices of locl Berhn nd Vn Arendonk [43] finding nd the reson Wollo highlnd sheep reed with indigenous Wsher ehind this might e mngement differences. Gizw nd sheep reed eing dopted y smllholder sheep Getchew [10] lso reveled tht, nnul lm mortlity producers genetic potentil improvement prctices. rte ws 11.4%, 10.1% nd 9.4% for locl, Awssi nd Suprior indigenous sheep reed for cosseding Coriedil rm F 1 crossred lms, respectively under purpos ws selected y the smllholder sheep villge mngement condition nd which is lower thn the producers them selves from the nerest loc regions current mortlity rte for Awssi, Wsher rm crossreed sed on their trit of interest. Sheep reserch nd progenies nd locl Wollo highlnd lms. The reson development hve een prcticed for decdes in might e the effect of seson of irth, irth weight, irth Ethiopi to improve the productivity of the locl flocks, type, ge of ewes nd production yer difference increse off tke rtes nd increse their contriution to Suliemn et l. [62]. Mndl et l. [63] ws reported n the livelihoods of frmers nd pstorlists nd to the verged pre-wening nd post-wening mortlity rte of ntionl economy. However, the min chllenging 6.6% nd 6.0%, respectively nd overll lm mortlity fctors were dptility of the locl environment. from irth to 1 yer of ge ws 12.6% t sttion controlled The current reserch out put indicted tht, the genetic condition. However, in the current study the overll improvement progrm need to revised ccording to the nnul mortlity rte per flock ws presented in Tle 4 interest of smllholder sheep producers interest. Hence, nd hence, the trend of lm mortlity ws decresing Awssi crossreed sheep shown doptive fetures nd order from irth to yerling ge nd greed with Mndl scertin extent chieving its ojective t cool highlnd et l. [63], ut higher mortlity ws oserved. Therefore, smllholder frming condition. Therefore, locl reed it s the mjor chllenges for smllholder sheep producers improvement prctices through crossreeding with nd reduced their numer of lms tht might e present selected exotic reed (Awssi reed) is crucil to mrketing ge. continued for coming genetic improvement prctices. Suliemn et l. [62] elucidted tht, the survivl rte Within intensive mngement conditions survivl nd of lms irth to wening ws ffected y the ge of the mortlity rte evlution of locl Wollo highlnd nd their ewes, type of irth (single, twin or triple orn), seson of crossred progenies re crucil to confirm the potentil irth (wet or dry seson) nd irth weight of the lms. effect of the reed for future genetic improvement This could e minly due to the fct tht twins, hve prctices. lower ody weight compred to single lms nd sesonl feed villity. Gemed et l. [64] yet gin presented CONCLUSION tht, survivl rte for Horro reed ws significntly ffected y irth weight of lms. The lightest lms All interested trit hve to prioritized nd considered generlly hd the highest mortlity rte. Moreover, through reeding prctices nd productivity improvement Niftlem [37] reveled tht, lms orn from hevier dms progrm for designing long term reserch nd hd significntly higher survivl rte t ll level of the development pln. Eventhough, frmers cn select their specified ge, thn those from lighter ewes. However, interested reed type lck of plned reeding, record Tio [5] lso presented tht, there is n dequte within keeping nd negtive selection prctice were lso current nd etween reed genetic vrition for survivl rte, principl limittions in the re. Smllholder frmers which cn e exploited through selective reeding for sometimes pointed out their interested trits from their permnent improvement of the reeds. long term previous expriences to chive their reeding In the current study there were slight survivl rte ojectives nd tht might e disgreement with scientific difference etween locl nd their crossred progenies or point of view. However, reserchers nd development etween strt (Tle 4) were identified. Hence, the first workers should hve to understnd nd ttempt to 33
Cndin J. Sci. Res., 6(2): 23-37, 2017 incorporte frmer s interest through genetic improvement 3. Aegz, S., G. Dugum, J. Rege, J. Vn-Wyk, F. Neser ctivities inorder to crete ownership perception nd sustinle development. Fst growing once were sold t erly ged nd kept for short durtion of time in the flock. However, slow growing lms (stgnted growth) kept for long period of time within flock tht mostly used for reeding purpose nd consequence of negtive selection. Age t first lming, lming nd prolificcy rte nd lming intervl were most promising reproductive ttriutes of Wollo highlnd sheep reed nd their crossreed progenies. Arevitions: CSA..Centrl Sttistics Authority EPA Extension Plnning Are PPS..Strtified proility proportionl to size SPS Snitry nd phytosnitry stndrds UNCTD..United Ntions Conference on Trde nd Development ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My most sincere thnks nd pprecition goes to Wollo University prtil reserch udget lloction for dt collection, Dessie Zuri district prticipted through locl communities coordintion for on-frm monitoring, Addis A University contriuted through themthic project fund lloction for dt collection. More of these, Ato Mehmed Ali nd his stff memers (privte sheep frm stff) nd Dessie Zuri district study re smllholder frmers hve een prticipted with concurrence of their sheep flocks for inventory ctivities. My most sincere thnks nd pprecition re lso goes to the stff memer of College of Veterinry Medicine nd Agriculture (CVMA) nd Deprtment of Animl Production Study (DAPS) in Addis A University, for their tireless ssistnce from the igning to the end of reserch work. REFERENCES 1. Ass, K., 1995. Reproductive losses in smll ruminnts in Su-Shrn Afric: A review. ILCA Working document. Interntionl Livestock Center for Afric. Addis Ae, Ethiopi nd IDRC (Interntionl Development Reserch Center), Ottw, Cnd, pp: 169. 2. Aee M., 1999. Husndry prctice nd productivity of sheep in Llo-mm Midir wored of centrl Ethiopi. MSc thesis, Alemy University, Dire Dw, Ethiopi. nd G. Ersmus, 2000. Erly growth, survivl nd litter size in Ethiopin Horro sheep. South Africn Journl of Animl Science, 30: 1-3. 4. Agyemng, K., A. Negussie, A. Voorthuizen nd F. Anderson, 1985. A rpid survey of sheep production in the trditionl sector of Dere Berhn, Ethiopin Highlnds. In: ILCA Proceeding Conference, Addis A, Ethiopi, 30 Sept-4 Oct., pp: 175-185. 5. Amelml, A., 2011. Phenotypic chrcteriztion of indigenous sheep types; in Dwuro zone nd Kont specil wored of SNNPR, Ethiopi. MSc thesis, Hrmy, Ethiopi: Hrmy University. 6. Asresu, Y., T. Mengistie, A. Agrw nd Z. Getenet, 2013. Community-sed improvement scheme for wsher sheep: Ethiopi. Africn Journl of Agriculturl Reserch (AJAR), 8(44): 5485-5491. 7. Awgichew, K., 2000. Comprtive performnce evlution of Horro nd Menz sheep of Ethiopi under grzing nd intensive feeding conditions. PhD disserttion, Humoldt University, Berlin, Germny. 8. Bker, R., J. Mugmi, J. Audho, A. Crles nd W. Thorpe, 2002. Comprison of Red Msi nd Dorper sheep for resistnce to gstro-intestinl nemtode prsites productivity nd efficiency in humid nd semi-rid environment in Keny. In: Proceeding. 7th World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Montpellier, Frnce, pp: 639-642. 9. Begum, F., M. Azizunnes, I. Fruk, S. Golm nd Y. Frid, 2014. Reproductive Performnces of Indigenous Ewes in Bngldesh; Journl of Agriculture nd Veterinry Science (JAVS), 7(5): 64-72. 10. Berhn, A. nd J. Vn Arendonk, 2006. Reproductive Performnce nd Mortlity Rte in Menz nd Horro Sheep Following Controlled Breeding in Ethiopi. Journl of Smll Ruminnt Reserch (JSRR), 37: 105-110. 11. Berhn, T. nd A. Asnkew, 2005. Live weight gin nd crcss yield chrcteristics of intct mle Hrrghehighlnd gots fed vrying levels of hy to concentrte rtios. Scholrly Journl of Agriculturl Science(SAS), 5(5): 178. 12. Berhnu, B. nd A. Hile, 2009. Fctors ffecting growth performnce of sheep under villge mngement conditions in the south western prt of Ethiopi. Journl of Livestock Reserch for Rurl Development (LRRD), 21(11): 1-11. 34