PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF INDIGENOUS HIGHLAND SHEEP AND THEIR HUSBANDRY PRACTICES IN MELO KOZA AND GEZE GOFA DISTRICTS OF GOFA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the indigenous sheep breed and evaluate the husbandry practices of sheep in the Melo Koza and Geze Gofa districts of the Gofa Zone in the southern region of Ethiopia. A purposive sampling method was used to select the study peasant associations, and a total of 300 households were interviewed using a questionnaire survey, organized group discussions, and field observations. A simple random sampling approach was employed to select the study sheep, with a total of 690 sheep (500 females and 190 males) chosen for morphological and linear body measurements. Qualitative data obtained through individual observations were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software. Continues variables were analyzed using the general linear model procedure, and the chi-square test was utilized to examine the assumption of equal proportions between categorical variables. The majority (67.33%) of the households surveyed were headed by males. Most households (79.7%) were married, and approximately 85% of households engaged in trade. The primary reasons for keeping sheep in both districts were to generate income and fulfill social and cultural functions. Breeding ewes were selected based on lambing interval and mothering characteristics. The primary feed resources for sheep included private grazing land, crop residues, stubbles, and conserved feeds. The lambing interval significantly varied (P<0.05) between the two districts, with an average of 295.9±0.42 days. The age at sexual maturity of male sheep also varied significantly (P<0.05) across districts, with an average of 255±1.12 days. Approximately 53.58% of rams exhibited curved horns as the dominant horn orientation, while ewes were typically hornless. A positive and significant (P<0.05) correlation was observed between most of the quantitative trait variables for both male and female sheep. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) among districts in terms of age at first lambing, with an average of 362±0.51 days. The main constraints to sheep production included diseases, feed shortages, genotype issues, predators, and economic factors. In general, the Office of Agricultural and Rural Development, along with Kebele development agents, are expected to improve management practices to enhance sheep flock production and productivity.