Estrus induction in Acyclic Ewes under field conditions of semi-arid region of Rajasthan

Anestrus is one of the major problems in animal husbandry sector development of semi-arid region due to scarcity feeding resources, lack of concentrate feeding practices and free range management coupled with poor health coverage. Systematic study on induction of estrus is inevitable to improve reproductive efficiency and fertility of sheep under field conditions. The objective of the present study was to induce cyclicity in acyclic ewes for increasing the lambing percentage in farmer's flock. Under the transfer of technology programme in the Institute's adopted villages, 373 adult Malpura ewes were screened out of which 31 (8.31%) were identified as postpartum anestrus/acyclic ewes. All the acyclic ewes were treated with proper feeding, mineral supplementation, Vitadae injection and Janova capsule for induction of estrus. After the treatment 14 acyclic (45.16%) ewes came into estrus within 16 days and were bred by natural mating by Malpura rams under the farmer's managemental practices. The lambing percentage on the basis of acyclic ewes that responded to estrus induction was 100% (14/14). The results indicate that under field conditions proper feeding, mineral supplementation, Vitadae injection and Janova capsule can be effectively used for induction of estrus in sheep reared in a semi-arid tropical environment.