Factors influencing pre- and post-weaning kleiber ratios in Sonadi sheep

A study was conducted to estimate the pre- and post-weaning Kleiber ratios (KR) with factors affecting it and genetic parameters in 743 Sonadi lambs born during 2015 to 2020 under Mega Sheep Seed Project at College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Navania, (Rajasthan). The overall least-squares means for pre-weaning (KR1) and post-weaning (KR2) were 15.25±0.27 and 3.84±0.18, respectively. Significant (P<0.01) effect of period of birth and sex of lamb was observed on both KR1 and KR2. Season (P<0.01) and type of birth (P<0.05) effects were only significant (P<0.05) on KR1. Heritability estimates for KR1 and KR2 were 0.25±0.10 and 0.56±0.18, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between KR1 and KR2 were higher but negative. In conclusion, medium to high heritability estimates of KR offer scope for individual selection for genetic improvement in Sonadi sheep.