Vol. 9, Special Issue 8 (2020)

Author(s):
Dibyendu Chakraborty, Vikas bin Zaffer, Parul Gupta, Pallavi Khajuria, VP Singh and RK Taggar

Abstract:
In the present study data on 300 animals were collected from history sheet maintained at Government Sheep Breeding Farm Panthal, Reasi, J&K, India, over a period of 11 years (2002-2012). The traits included in the study were average pre-weaning daily weight gain (ADG1-birth to weaning), average post-weaning daily weight gain (ADG2-weaning to yearling), pre-weaning kleiber ratio (KR1) and post-weaning kleiber ratio (KR2). The statistical analysis was carried out using LSMLMW computer programme. Least-squares means for various growth rate traits under study were 68.82±1.05 gm, 44.69±1.18 gm, 8.85±0.06 and 4.17±0.10 for ADG1, ADG2, KR1 and KR2, respectively. Period of lambing had significant effect on ADG2 and KR2. Sex of lambs had significant effect on ADG1, KR1 and KR2. Ram had highly significant effect on all the traits under study. The heritability ranged from 0.09±0.12 (KR1) to 0.24±0.22 (KR2). The highest genetic and phenotypic correlations were calculated between ADG2 and KR2. Ram code 11 and 12 are better for growth rate traits and these rams can be used for breeding purpose if alive.