Devendran, P.Cauveri, D.Murali, N.Ravimurugan, T.Gajendran, K.TANUVAS2018-07-242018-07-242010-10http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810061760TNV_IJSR_2010_16(2)210-212Madras Red is a hairy breed of sheep raised mostly by landless farmers in northern districts of Tamil Nadu. The aim of the present study was to investigate the growth efficiency of Madras Red sheep reared by farmers in their native tract. The growth efficiency of sheep was computed by least squares analysis as the relative body weight gain for 0-3, 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months of age. The growth efficiency was decreased as the age of the lambs was advanced. Season of lambing had significant (p<0.05) influence on growth efficiency only during 6-9 months of age. Lambs born in off-season (April - July) gained more body weight than those born in the main season (October - January). The random effect of sire was significant (p<0.05) on growth efficiency during 0-3 and 6-9 months of age. Ram lambs were heavier than ewe lambs while growth efficiency was significantly (p<0.01) higher in ewe lambs due to their relatively faster growth during 0-3 and 9-12 months of age. The regression of dam weight at lambing had significant (p<0.01) influence on growth efficiency of their offspring during 0-3 months, indicating that lambs of heavier dams had better growth efficiency. The heritability estimate was low (0.08) at 0-3 months and moderate to high (0.14–0.31) at 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 months of age, which suggested that selective breeding could improve the growth efficiency of Madras Red sheep.enVeterinary ScienceArticle