Growth and reproductive performance of Deccani sheep in an organised farm

The overall performance of Deccani sheep reared in an organized farm was recorded from 2007 to 2012. The overall least squares means of body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 3.44±0.01, 15.66±0.09, 22.04±0.13, 23.06±0.14 and 24.27±0.16 kg, respectively. Year of birth had significant (P<0.01) influence on 9 and 12 months body weights, while season of birth significantly (P<0.01/<0.05) affected the body weights at birth, 3 and 6 months of age. Lambs born in minor season were heavier than the lambs born in major season. Sex had significant (P<0.01) effect on all the stages of growth. The overall ages at first conception (AFC), age at first lambing (AFL) and lambing interval were 489.21±3.55, 638.91±3.56 and 307.90±1.37 days, respectively. The influence of year and season of birth was non-significant on AFC and AFL, while year of birth showed significant (P<0.01) influence on lambing interval.