The Indian Journal of Small Ruminants

The objectives of the study were to record the growth and reproductive performance of Madras Red sheep. The overall mean body weight recorded at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age was 2.68 ± 0.006, 9.64 ± 0.03, 15.02 ± 0.10, 17.80 ± 0.12 and 19.88 ± 1.14 kg, respectively. Season had a marked influence only on post-weaning body weight (except for 12 months of age) whereas location had a marked effect on pre-weaning and post-weaning weight gain (except for 6–9 months of age) of animals. The sex had a marked influence on birth weight and three months weight and no influence on average weight gain. The overall least squares mean body weight of ewes at breeding was 27.81± 0.59 kg and the lambing percentage was 82.49%.