Agricultural Research Management Information System

Home
Research Summary
Search
About Us
- ARMIS
- Brochure
Contact Us
Report
User Request
Data Input
Help
- Operation Manual
  - PDF
  - Video
- Program Area & Commodity
We have reached 37600 number of research entries at this moment.

- Logout

Research Detail

Home
Research
Detail

Comparative Performance of Different Regional Native Sheep in Bangladesh

M. R. Hassan
Department of Animal Science, Chonbuk National University, South Korea

M. A. I. Talukder
Goat and Sheep Production Research Division, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was undertaken to investigate the performance of native sheep in Bangladesh. Data were collected during 2004-2010 from sheep of the Barind, Jamuna and Coastal areas. The phenotypic characteristics did not differ significantly, but ears were shorter in Barind than in Jamuna and Coastal sheep. The coat colour was 45% white, 26% brown, 24% white brown and 3% black brown in Barind and Jamuna sheep, but white (70%) and white brown (30%) in Coastal sheep. Differences were not significant for age at first heat, age at first pregnancy and age at first lambing. Days open and post-partum ewe weight were significantly (P<0.01) different. Onset of post-partum heat, lambing interval, gestation length, number of services per pregnancy, litter size and placental weight did not differ significantly. Birth weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Coastal sheep than in Barind and Jamuna. Higher (P<0.05) wool yield was obtained in Coastal sheep and in the summer. Though the wool was coarse and hairy, wool from Coastal sheep had more (P<0.05) bends per inch, and was finer. Diarrhoea, pneumonia in lambs and skin diseases were the most common diseases in all sheep. Though sheep from the different areas had similar performance, better reproductive performance was obtained in the Barind .

Keywords: Comparative performance, Native sheep, Phenotypic characteristics

Location: Naogaon, Rajshahi, Chapi Nababganj,Tangail(Jamuna river basin), Noakhali (coastal areas)and Sheep production research farm,Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Dhaka

Start Date: 00-00-2003

End Date:

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Sheep

Objectives:

To determine the phenotypic characteristics, reproductive performance, growth and wool production of sheep in different areas of Bangladesh

Methodology:

Sheep were purchased in 2003 from three areas of Bangladesh, Barind (Naogaon, Rajshahi, Chapi Nababganj), Jamuna river basin (mostly in Tangail) and Coastal (Noakhali) areas, and reared in the Goats and Sheep production research farm, Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The breeding programme was designed so that the purity of animals from a particular area was maintained. Animals were housed in slatted floor permanent houses. Rams were kept separately from ewes to avoid unplanned mating. Animals were allowed to graze for 6-7 hours except during rain and supplemented with concentrate (17% CP, 11 MJ/kg DM) 200g/ animal/day and seasonally available green and dry fodder. Ewes were kept in lambing pens under close observation for three to four days prior to the expected date of parturition. At lambing, lambs and ewes were weighed, and the lambing date, sex and parity of each lamb were recorded. Wool was sheared both summer and winter and yield was measured by digital platform balance (Kern, Germany). The wool was sorted, graded and cleaned. Staple length was measured. The wool fibres were observed and counted with the help of a projection microscope at 500-power magnification. Disease was recorded daily on the basis of clinical signs and laboratory examinations, and causes of mortality were observed by clinical signs, post-mortem examination and laboratory tests. Necessary treatments were given against specific diseases according to the suggestion of the veterinary surgeons. Treatments were provided regularly against internal and external parasites. All animals were dipped in 0.1% malathion solution monthly. Sheep with ill health, stunted growth, repeat breeding, or severe skin diseases were culled. Phenotypic characteristics studied were body length, heart girth, wither height, hip height, head length and breadth, ear length, udder length and breadth, testis length, teat length and breadth, tail length and breadth, body depth and body weight and nose length. Reproductive traits were age at first heat (AFH), age at first pregnancy (AFP), age at first lambing (AFL), onset of post-partum heat (OPPH), days open (DO: number of days between lambing to conception), lambing interval (LI), gestation length (GL), number of services per pregnancy (NSP), litter size (LS), postpartum ewe weight (PEW) and birth weight of lamb (BWL). The statistical analysis of the data was performed using general linear model procedure of SPSS 11.5 software program. The differences between treatment means were examined using least significant difference (LSD). The data on reproductive traits were analysed using the statistical model Yijkl = μ + Yi + Gj+ Lk + (G × L)jk + e iijkl.

Source of Information: The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2011) 28(2) : 85-94

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In conclusion, native sheep from three different areas showed similar performance. Highest birth weight and wool production was in Coastal sheep but better reproductive performance was in Barind sheep.

Knowledge Management: Journal