Performance evaluation of madgyal sheep in its breeding tract

A study was carried out with the objective to survey and characterise Madgyal sheep and to document breeding, management and production practices followed by the shepherds in its breeding tract. During 2019, a total of 110 sheep flocks (5570 sheep) were surveyed in 30 villages of Jath block in Sangli district of Maharashtra. The survey indicated that Dhangar community, mainly reared this sheep since generations. The average flock size was 50.64 and each flock was consisted of 71.37% adult females, 1.87% rams and 26.76% lambs. The mean birth weights in males and females were 3.97±0.16 and 3.35±0.13 kg, respectively. Three months weights were 24.52±0.67 kg in males and 24.29±0.76 kg in females. The age of lambs at slaughter was recorded between 3 and 6 months with an average carcass weight of 15.37 kg in males and 10.86 kg in females. Madgyal sheep had higher estimates for morphometric traits. Daily milk yield of ewe was 850 g and 105.42 kg in a lactation period of 125.35 days. The age at first lambing in females was 13.92±0.08 months. The study revealed higher production and reproductive performance of Madgyal sheep in its breeding tract and also indicated its importance as key genetic resource for farmers in this region.