Growth performance and mortality rate of Abera sheep under different management systems in Sidama Regional State, southern Ethiopia

Sunkurta Digesa, Debir Legese and Amelmal Alemayehu

Net Journal of Agricultural Science
Published: December 8 2022
Volume 10, Issue 4
Pages 95-102

ABSTRACT

Knowing the performance of sheep under different management settings is an important tool for recommending a suitable and profitable breeding program. The current study assessed the growth and mortality rate of Abera sheep under different management conditions (on-farm versus station) in the Dara Otilcho district of Sidama regional state. On-station data of sheep monitored at Abera Gelede sub research station (n = 105) and on-farm data of sheep owned by households in Abera Gelede breeder villages (n = 284) were collected between 2018 and 2020. Body weight at birth, weaning age (90 days), six-months (180 days), and yearling age were growth traits considered. Pre-weaning and post-weaning body weight gain was also estimated. A linear model of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was used to analyze growth traits. The result showed sheep managed under farmers' conditions were significantly (p < 0.001) superior to their on-station counterparts for all growth traits except at weaning age and pre-weaning average daily weight gain. The least square mean of sheep managed under farmers' management conditions at birth, weaning age, six-month age, and yearling age, pre-weaning average daily weight gain and post-weaning average daily weight gain was 3.43 kg, 14.99 kg, 19.09 kg, 28.87 kg, 119.44 g/day and 56.84 g/day, respectively, whereas the corresponding value for on-station sheep was 3.14 kg, 13.86 kg, 18.15 kg, 25.02 kg, 116.04 g/day and 47.53 g/day. Sheep managed under farmers’ conditions were found to be more prolific than on-station managed sheep. A higher mortality rate (14.15%) was recorded for on-station managed sheep compared with the 7.67% mortality rate recorded under farmers’ management condition. Generally, the present study concluded that sheep managed at a farmer’s condition had a better growth rate and lower death rate than their on-station counterparts, which indicates sheep production is more profitable under a farmer's management condition in the area.

Keywords: Abera sheep, growth rate, mortality rate, on-farm, on-station.

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