Performance evaluation of sheep in farmer's flock of eastern semi-arid region of Rajasthan

The present study was conducted in the transfer of technology covered area of the institute located in the eastern semi-arid region of Rajasthan. The total sheep population across the different age group, breeds and centres covered was 8366 and the average flock size was around 67 sheep per flock. Least squares means (LSM) for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 month of age were 3.55±0.03, 14.01±0.15, 21.05±0.35, 23.65±0.33 and 28.04±0.35 kg for Malpura sheep and 3.40±0.02, 13.10±0.11, 20.04±0.31, 22.78±0.28 and 26.91±0.33 kg for Kheri sheep, respectively. All the fixed effects such as genotype, village and sex had significant effect on the trait. The preference for Kheri breed was more as compared to Malpura sheep. LSM for first greasy fleece yield and adult clip for Malpura and Kheri sheep were 514.69±17.04, 618.84±6.53 and 557.17±12.24, 669.36±5.76 gm, respectively. Genotype, sex and village had significant effect on the wool yield. Farmers sold male lambs immediately after weaning and retained females for strengthening the breeding female stock.