Effect of non-genetic factors and inbreeding levels on post-weaning growth traits of Chokla sheep

A study was conducted to examine the effect of nongenetic factors with inclusion of Inbreeding levels on postweaning growth traits in Chokla flock maintained at ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan. The overall least-squares means of six, nine and 12 months weight were 18.98±0.15, 20.71±0.15 and 23.82±0.16 kg, respectively. The least-squares means of average daily gain during 3–6 and 6–12 months of age were 68.83±1.10 and 28.18±0.66 g, respectively. The effect of period of birth and sex of lamb was significant (P<0.01) on 6, 9, 12 months weight, average daily gain during 3–6 and 6–12 months of age. The effect of season of birth was significant (P<0.01) on 12 months body weight, average daily gain during 3–6 and 6–12 months of age. The effect of dam's weight at lambing was significant (P< 0.01) on all the traits except on average daily gain during 3–6 and 6–12 months of age. The effect of inbreeding level was significant on 9 and 12 months body weight. Body weights at low level of inbreeding were higher than the out-bred animals, however when inbreeding level is >5%, animals performance was decreased which might be attributed to the deleterious effect of inbreeding depression Thus, proper attention to significant factors and efficient control on inbreeding level in flock is required for continuous improvement in growth in Chokla flock.