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Morphometric Characterization of BARInd Sheep of Bangladesh

MI Haque
Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh, Dhaka-1015, Bangladesh

MJU Sarder
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

MA Islam
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

R Khaton
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

MH Islam
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh

MA Hashem
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken aiming to characterize the morphological features of Barind sheep of Bangladesh in an attempt to give an important tool for intensive research to develop a management and breeding strategy that suits the production system of the area. Data were collected to study the morphological features of sheep of two Barind based upazillas; Paba and Godagari under Rajshahi district of Bangladesh through close observation, measuring and record keeping. Characteristics of body weight, wither height, rump height, body length, sternum height, Chest girth, bi-coastal diameter, ear length, rump width, head width, rump length, head length, heart girth, cannon bone circumference and muzzle diameter were collected from 508 (458 female and 50 male) sheep stratified into age categories of <1year, 1-1.5 year, 1.5-2 years, 2-2.5 years and >2.5 years by dentition. The average body weight of sheep was 18.03±1.91 kg irrespective of sexes and was significantly (p<.01) higher in male. The body weight of sheep was increased gradually with the advancement of age. The wither height (cm), rump height (cm), body length (cm), sternum height (cm), Chest girth (cm), bi-coastal diameter (cm), ear length (cm), rump width (cm), head width (cm), rump length (cm), head length (cm), heart girth (cm), cannon bone circumference (cm) and muzzle diameter (cm) were 52.75±2.56, 52.70±2.90, 55.61±3.04, 26.89±2.28, 61.65±3.38, 11.27±.88, 7.28±3.17, 13.57±1.03, 11.44±.85, 11.40±1.32, 19.02±1.47, 70.15±6.79, 8.56±.77, 20.04±1.52 respectively. The wither height, sternum height, body depth, bi-coastal diameter, head width, head length, cannon bone circumference and muzzle diameter were significantly differed (p<0.001) between male and female and value of all mentioned characters were higher in male. The results indicated that the rump height, body length, bi-coastal diameter, head width, rump length, head length and muzzle diameter have non-significantly differed among different age categories but all of these were higher at aged sheep. Heart girth was differed significantly (p<.01) among ages and highest in full permanent teethed sheep. Cannon bone circumference differed significantly (p<0.05) among different ages and also highest at aged sheep. Though Heart girth did not differ significantly between sexes, it was higher in female probably for their pregnancy.

Keywords: Barind sheep, Sheep, Intensive plan, Positive characters, Livestock, Cattle, Goats, Sheep, Poultry

Location: In Barind region of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-03-2019

End Date: 00-08-2019

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Sheep

Objectives:

To assess the morphological characters to available the information about Barind sheep for taking intensive plan for improving and conservation of positive characters of Barind sheep.

Methodology:

The study was carried out in Barind region of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh. Among the rural activities, rain-fed agriculture (51.33%) is the most important, followed by livestock keeping (13%) and off-farm activities (3%). Cattle, goats, sheep and poultry, were the main livestock species kept. The Barind tract lies in the monsoon region of the summer dominant hemisphere. The climate of the area is generally warm and humid. This region has already been designated as draught-prone. The average temperature ranges from 25⁰ C to 45⁰ C in the hottest season and 5⁰ C to 15°C in the coolest season with an average relative humidity of 75%. The research area was located between 240.18' and 240.36' North latitude and between 880.17' and 880.43' East longitude. Data were taken from 508 (458 female and 50 male) adult sheep of 60 households of two Barind based upazila; Paba and Godagari under Rajshahi district. Flock size varied from five to fifteen in no. All farmers used extensive production systems and sheep were reared only on grazing without any supplementation. Body measurements were taken on animals in a standing position with a raised head. Data were collected from March 2019 to August 2019. Measurements of 15 characters (Body weight, withers height, rump height, body length, sternum height, Chest girth, bicostal diameter, ear length, rump width, head width, rump length, head length, heart girth, cannon bone circumference, muzzle diameter) were taken by using a metric tape and digital hanging weighing balance accordance with the guidelines described by the FAO (2012). The collected data on morphology were checked, compiled and analyzed. The data on studied traits were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS, version 23.

Source of Information: J Earth Environ Sci, an open-access journal, Volume 4: Issue 01; ISSN: 2577-0640

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.29011/2577-0640.100192

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In fact, Barind sheep are less cared for animals till now in Bangladesh and have been reared under traditional scavenging system in small flock by countryside people in the Barind region. This valuable germplasm is still being neglected and very little attention has been paid until to date for their characterization and improvement. Non-descript Barind sheep of Bangladesh is a valuable genetic resource, especially in their contribution to the overall genetic diversity and their stable production under rural condition even with an adverse changing climate. But this valuable asset is diminishing for unplanned cross-breeding. Recently the government of Bangladesh has emphasized by implementing, community and commercial managed sheep rearing program through two government institutes (Department of Livestock Services, DLS and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, BLRI) for their genetic improvements in some sheep potentials areas of Bangladesh. The information of this study will create an opportunity to have available their genetic potentials by supplying more distinct morphology, morphometric characteristics of Barind sheep. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the morphology, morphometric characteristics, productive and reproductive potential of indigenous Barind sheep of Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal