TY  - JOUR
T1  - Community-Based Characterization of Simien Sheep Based on Growth Performance and Farmers’ 
  Breeding Objectives in Simien Mountains Region, Ethiopia
AU - Melaku, Surafel AU - Mekuriaw, Zeleke AU - Gizaw, Solomon AU - Taye, Mengistie 
JO  - Research Journal of Animal Sciences
VL  - 6
IS  - 3
SP  - 47
EP  - 55
PY  - 2012
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1993-5269
DO  - rjnasci.2012.47.55
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjnasci.2012.47.55
KW  - Breed characterization
KW  -breeding-objectives
KW  -community-based
KW  -growth-performance
KW  -Simien sheep
AB  - This study was aimed at characterizing Simien sheep based 
  on growth characteristics and farmers’ 
  breeding objectives and selection criteria. A total of 63 households and 600 
  lambs from Miligebsa and Dara districts of Debark and Dabat woredas of North 
  Gondar Zone in Amhara region, Ethiopia were registered and monitored. About 
  1 year and 5 months monitoring data on growth performance of the sheep was used 
  for the study. Besides, group discussion and proportional piling tools of PRA 
  were used to identify and prioritize farmers’ 
  breeding objectives and selection criteria. The overall least square mean birth 
  weight of Simien sheep was 2.976±0.030 kg. The overall least square mean 
  weights of Simien sheep at 3 and 6 months of age were 11.761±0.161 and 
  15.787±0.330 kg, respectively. The overall average daily gain in g/day 
  between 0-90 days of age was found to be 97.364±1.735; birth to 6 months 
  of age was 72.089±1.729 and weaning to 6 months of age was 52.843±4.662. 
  Parity was significant (p<0.05) source of variation on body weight measurements. 
  Birth type affected only birth weight and weaning weight. Body weight gains 
  at early age were significantly affected by district, parity and birth type. 
  Sex showed no significant effect (p>0.05) on most of weight traits of Simien 
  sheep except on 6 months weight and ADG between birth to 6 months. The leading 
  farmers’ breeding objective was 
  as source of cash income. Family performance took the 1st rank to select breeding 
  rams and wider back area (shint) was considered as the most important criteria 
  for selecting breeding ewes. The facts that the breed is superior to most of 
  the sheep breeds in the country in terms of weight at early age and declines 
  at later age signify that the sheep has good potential but there are influences 
  by management and environmental factors. Thus, improvement of the general management 
  condition can support the breed to express its full genetic potentials consistently 
  at later stages of its growth. Further study on the reproductive performance 
  of the sheep is suggested to investigate more details about the breed. Since, 
  there exists high variations in body weight measurements at different ages within 
  the breed, improvement by selection can be considered as good breeding strategy 
  for Simien sheep.
ER  -