Phenotypic documentation and characterization of Purgi sheep

Purgi is a small-sized, indigenous undocumented sheep found in Kargil area of Jammu and Kashmir. A survey was carried in its native tract to study the morphological, and morphometric characters and feeding practices. Purgi sheep is predominantly white in colour with long pointed flat head, short and slightly tubular ears and curved downwards horns. Males and females had chest girth of 66.07 and cm 64.06 at 2-tooth, 71.66 and 69.96 cm at 4-tooth, 78.64 and 78.04 cm at 6-tooth and 83.92 and 80.53 cm at full mouth, respectively. Males and females reached a body length of 54.62 and 55.48 cm at 2-tooth, 59.17 and 61.09 cm at 4-tooth, 63.78 and 64.22 cm at 6tooth and 64.18 and 66.48 at full mouth, respectively. Height at withers in males and females were 49.22 and 49.15 cm at 2-tooth, 52.27 and 52.43 cm at 4-tooth, 57.24 and 55.68 cm at 6-tooth and 58.66 and 57.43 cm at full mouth, respectively. Males and females attained body weights of 17.64 and 18.52 kg at 2-tooth, 20.67 and 21.87 kg at 4-tooth, 23.51 and 24.81 kg at 6-tooth and 25.81 and 26.69 kg at full mouth, respectively. Purgi sheep were reared under range system in summers and semi-intensive system in winters. It was inferred that the Purgi sheep are hardy, able to tolerate harsh winters of cold arid region and good source of genetic resource under the prevailing environmental conditions.