Effect of non-genetic factors on survivability in mecheri sheep

Data on 1763 records of Mecheri sheep at Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, Salem (Tamil Nadu) over a period of sixteen years (1991 to 2006) were analyzed for pre- and post-weaning survivability (0–3 months, 3–6 months and 6–12 months of age). The effects of various non-genetic factors viz., period of lambing, season of lambing and sex of lamb on survivability were analyzed. The least squares means for 0–3, 3–6 and 6–12 months survivability were 94.52±0.63, 93.52±0.67 and 92.46±0.80%, respectively. Period and season of lambing had significant (P<0.05/P<0.01) effects on pre-weaning survivability. Post-weaning survivability was influenced in general by the period and season of lambing (P<0.01). Sex of lamb was a non-significant factor for the survivability except for 6–12 months survivability.