STUDIES ON CHARACTERIZATION AND PERFORMANCE OF VIZIANAGARAM SHEEP OF NORTH COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH
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Date
2010-04
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
A study was undertaken on the a) distribution of local Vizianagaram sheep b)
biometric and morphological characters of the breed c) productive and reproductive
performance of the breed and d) managemental practices being followed by farmers of
Vizianagaram breeding tract in north coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh comprising of
Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. Based on nlultistage stratified
random sampling technique, the study was carried out in 7 mandals each from every
district and from each mandal 7 villages were selected. From each village 2-3 sheep
farmers maintained local Vizianagaram sheep with an average flock size of 60-75 were
selected for the study resulted in a sample size of 775. 1244 and 153 Vizianagaram sheep
from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts. The data recorded from
farmers flocks were compared with the data of LRS, Garividi.
The chest girth, body length and keight at withers (cm) were 35.2w0.33,
29.46M.37 and 40.3M.32 for ram lambs of below 1 year and 73.0W0.71. 60.91*0.82
and 68.84*0.62 for rams of 10-12 months. respectively. Significant (P<O.Oi) difference
exists for chest girth among districts and for body length between farmer flock and LRS.
Garividi sheep flocks. The above measurements (cm) werc 35.23*0.30 and 69.03*0.41,
30.28M.32 and 55.673~0.36 and 38.33&0.29 and 64.4h0.27 for below 1 month ewe lambs
and ewes of 10- 12 months, respectively. The biometry of' adult rams and adult ewes
showed that chest girth, body length and height at withers measurements (cm) of
87.1M.65, 66.6M.57 and 76.27M.61 and 77.2B0.26. 60.29k0.24 and 69.6-0.21,
respectively. No significant difference exists for biometric measurements of all age groups
except for 2 teeth ( P<0.01) among the districts for rams, where as significant difference
exists for biometric measurements of (body length and height at withers for 8-teeth, and
chest girth for 2,6 and 8-teeth age groups) among the 3 districts.
However, significant (PGO.0 1) difference exists in biometry measurements between
farmers sheep flock and LRS, Garividi sheep flocks.
The maximum horn length (cm) recorded in the study were 31.6444.28 for rams
and ewes were polled. Three types of ear pattern were recorded namely, pendulous (42.3 1
%) tubular (45.38%) and rudimentary (12.2 1%) types. The mean ear lengths (cm) of 13.92
&0.27,9.24*0.16 and 9.5e0.24 were recorded for ewe lambs up to 1 year and 12.8 1, 8.62
and 2.95 cm for ram lambs up to I year at farmer flocks. No significant difference was
observed among the study districts and between farmers and LRS, Garividi flocks in ear
length measurements.
The mean ear length (cm) of adult ewes and rams were 14.50S.09 and 14.14&0.17
and 9.85*0.25, 9.35*0.26 and 3.57*3.20, respectively for pendulous, tubular and
rudimentary type ears. Significant (P<0.01) difference in lengths existed for pendulous and
tubular type of ears among the districts.
The tail length (cm) recorded for adult rams and ewes was 10.16 and 9.07,
respectively. Significant (PcO.01) difference exists in all the age groups of adult rams and
ewes in tail length among the districts of the present study.
86.15 per cent of rams were homed and the rest of flock and ewes were polled.
Adults have twisted laterally extended horns with combination of colours mixed with
white and black / brown/ tan. Prominent occipital bone was the important feature of the
breed. Convex nose line was the characteristic feature of the sheep of above 7 months of
age. Majority (89.62%) of the flocks did not possess the wattles. Predominant hair growth
on thigh, dewlap and neck / mane region along the brisket was recorded in lambs and adult
sheep.
The coat colour pattern varied 94 per cent of flocks were in mixed colours and the
predominant colour was white with tan/ brown/ black colour patches on nose line. lateral
face, neck/ mane, perineum, back, lower extremities. etc.. The colour patches were mostly
circular in shape.
The birth weight (kg) was 2.73M.07 for ram lambs and 2.5 1k0.07 for ewe lambs.
The body weights (kg) have grown upto 25.84*0.74 and 19.521t0.70 for ram and ewes of
10-12 months age, respectively. The adult ram and ewe weighed 32.15*0.44 to 53.1B0.63
kg and 23.53&0.18 to 28.0W0.25 kg for 2-teeth to 8-teeth. respcxtively. Significant
(P<0.01) correlation exists between body weights and biometry measuremen:s viz. chest
girth, body length and height at withers of the breed. The height at withers was twice that
of length of the body.
The age (days) at first mating, weight (kg) at first mating, age (days) at first
lambing, litter size, service period (days) and lambing interval (days) values of sheep were
389.28i3.11, 19.64M. 1 1, 55e6.0, 1.15*0.04, 80.93*1.05 and 3 13.23k42.15, respectively
for Vizianagaram sheep breed. Significant (P<O.OI) difference exists in all the reproductive
traits except for weight at first mating among the districts.
The study on socioeconomic status showed that majority (97%) of the shepherds
belongs to backward communities with an average family size of 2.3%0.15. The literacy
rate was poor and the average literacy for household was 0.25+0.03only. Out of the study
group 31.33 per cent were landless and among the land owning shepherds 52.92 per cent
had wet lands. The average land holding of a shepherd was 1.35iO. I I acres.
The major income source for 77.6 per cent study group was from sheep rearing
followed by agriculture (18.0%) and other livestock (4.3%). The average income from
sheep rearing was Rs. 22,333i83 1 per household.
The average flock size ranged fiom 25 - 75 with own stock (92.5%). The breeding
rams were owned by 85.77 per cent of farmers and the male and female ratio of flock was
1.46: 50.06 (Ram: ewes).
Sheep housing made up of thatched material with Palmyra tree leaves as roof and
gravel and earthen material for flooring was observed in the study area.
The mean grazing distance (km) was 3.95i0.09 with time period of (hrs) of 7.97i
0.04. Rams were fed with grains of 24 1.13k7.79 g per sheep / day. Sheep were fed mostly
with tree leaf meal like Neem, Casuarina, Tamarind etc., by majority (87.75%) of farmers.
The mean migration distance (km) was 35.08i1.35 per day and the average
duration of migration was 6.38*0.1 I months in a year. The predominant diseases were
Enerotoxemia, Foot rot, Hemorrhagic septicemia, Foot and Mouth Disease, Contagious
ecthyma, etc., and endo parasites. Majority (88.9%) of them followed quarterly and half
yearly deworrning practices and for control of endo parasites by spraying / water washing
once in a year. The mean mortality was !0.81+0.66 per flock and constraints as was
perceived by farmers were mostly related to shrinkage of land for grazing, lack of financial
support from banks and animal health related issues.
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