Characterization of Indigenous Sheep Breed Based on Morphological Traits

Mohammed Yousuf  Ebro; Abdi  Yusuf; Kefelegn  Kebede

Mohammed Yousuf Ebro 1Dambi Dollo University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal and Range Science, P.O. Box: 260, Dambi Dollo, Ethiopia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8373-6333
Abdi Yusuf Oda Bultum University, College of Agriculture, Department of Rural Development, P.O. Box: 260, Ciro, Ethiopia
Kefelegn Kebede School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia

Keywords: Breed, Morphological characterization, Native sheep, West Wollega Zone

Abstract

This study aimed to generate organized information on physical characteristics and prediction of live weight using linear body measurements of indigenous sheep breeds in three districts of Kellem Wolega zone (Sedi Chanka, Dale Sedi, and Hawa Gelan). The main frequently observed coat color pattern of both sex sheep was plain 63.3%, 72.1%, and 86.9% and the main frequently observed coat color type was brown 51.5%, 53.6%, and 55.4% Dale Sedi, Sedi Chanka, and Hawa Gelan districts, respectively. Straight head profiles 85.9%, 93.6%, and 94.6% were mainly observed for sheep in Dale Sedi, Sedi Chanka, and Hawa Gelan districts, respectively. All the sampled female and male sheep had no horns. The most ear form of sheep observed was semi-pendulous 85.1%, 76.7%, and 65.9% for Dale Sedi, Sedi Chanka, and Hawa Gelan districts sheep populations, respectively. The majority of sampled sheep population in Dale Sedi (52.1%) possesses cylindrical and twisted at the end, whereas Sedi Chanka (79.5%) and Hawa Gelan (74.6%) possess a cylindrical and straight tail shape. The majority of the sheep population in the studied districts had no wattle 96.2 followed by the presence of wattle 3.8%. The highest correlation between chest girth and body weight both for male and female sheep indicates that chest girth is the best variable for predicting live weight than other measurements. The overall mean of body weight, chest girth, body length, pelvic width, wither height, ear length, tail length, tail circumference, and scrotal circumference was 28.74 kg, 70.9 cm, 68.78 cm, 63.21 cm, 15.25 cm, 11.29 cm, 26.13cm, 18.92 cm, and 22.63 cm, respectively. The highest correlation between chest girth and body weight both for male and female sheep indicates that chest girth is the best variable for predicting live weight than other measurements. Consequently, this finding was put baseline for consideration of the physical characteristics of sheep and helped as a base for designing a sustainable breeding program and selection schemes in the study area.

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