Biometrical characterization of Harnali sheep: A new synthetic strain

The investigation was conducted to characterize Harnali sheep which is a newly synthetic strain developed for superior carpet wool, better growth and adaptability. The data for nine linear body measurements and adult body weight (ABW) recorded on 349 Harnali animals were analyzed using mixed linear model methodology. The least squares means for Body length (BL), Body height (BH), Heart girth (HG), Paunch girth (PG), Tail length (TL), Head circumference (HC), Ear Length (EL), Ear width (EW) and Face length (FL) were estimated as 77.97±0.50, 75.34±0.39, 91.27±0.51, 96.61±0.89, 30.73±0.79, 52.31±32, 16.21±0.37, 8.67±0.17 and 23.20±0.21 cm, respectively in males and 61.47±0.38, 62.63±0.25, 70.92±0.31, 72.54±0.56, 25.50±0.65, 39.93±0.27, 15.80±0.27, 8.49±0.14 and 18.24±0.13 cm, respectively in females. The adult body weight was 47.79±0.59 kg in males and 28.01±0.37 kg in females. Harnali sheep is characterized as medium to large in size with white and dense fleece. The results on body dimensions of Harnali sheep are first of its kind and will serve as the basis for further characterization, selection strategies and development of sheep production.