Advances in dairy Research
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Non-Genetic Factors on Reproductive and Growth Performance of Abera Sheep under Community Based Breeding Program in SNNPRS Ethiopia

Eyob Marufa, Mestawet Taye, Girma Abebe, Asirat Tera and Addisu Jimma

The study was conducted in Sidama Zone, Dara District Southern Ethiopia. The intention was to investigate the effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive and growth performance of Abera sheep in the District. For this study three years (2013-2015) performance data were obtained from Hawassa research center, Dara sub-site. Study identified age at first lambing (AFL) and lambing interval (LI) of the sheep were 9.6 and 12.9 months, respectively; while annual reproductive rate and litter size of the ewes were 1.9 and 1.5 heads. Average birth weight, weaning weight and 6 month weight of Abera sheep were 2.8, 12.3 and 18.5 kg, respectively; while pre and post weaning average daily weight gains were 106 and 40 g/day, respectively. Birth type, sex and year had significant (p