Comparative Growth Performance of Vembur Sheep in Its Breeding Tract

Growth performance of Vembur sheep breed under farm (Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu) and farmers ’flocks in its home tract (Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar districts) was studied. The birth weights of lambs maintained in the Instructional farm were 2.80±0.03 and 2.67±0.03 kg, respectively for males and females. The corresponding values in the farmers ’flocks were 2.72±0.06 and 2.57±0.03 kg, respectively. The overall average daily gains during 0–12 months of age at Instructional farm and farmers ’holdings were 53.50±1.12 and 50.05±2.39 g, respectively for male lambs and 50.10±0.84 and 45.97±1.07 g respectively for female lambs. Provision of better nutrition, health care and strict adoption of scientific practices is essential for higher average daily t gain under field conditions.