Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
RG Nimase and Kandalkar YB

Abstract:
The present study was carried out to study the influences of various non-genetic factors on growth traits of 2590 Deccani lambs maintained at ICAR-Network Project on Sheep (Deccani) Improvement, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra (India) for the period from January 2011 to December 2020. The growth traits included birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), six months weight (SWT), nine months weight (NWT), and yearling weight (YWT). The general linear model comprising the effects of non-genetic factors such as year of birth, season of birth, sex of lamb, age and weight of dam at lambing on targeted growth traits was used in this study. The overall least-squares means (along with standard error) for BWT, WWT, SWT, NWT and YWT were 3.26 ± 0.01, 13.32 ± 0.05, 21.43 ± 0.08, 24.56 ± 0.09, 27.32 ± 0.10 kg, respectively. It was revealed from the results that year of birth had significant influence on all growth traits, with weights were increasing over the years. The weights were significantly higher for male lambs, lambs born during dry season (April to September) and lambs born from older ewes as well as from heavier ewes. It was concluded that special emphasis on managemental practices should be given according seasonal variations. Additionally, extra care of younger ewes and ewes who have less weight during pregnancy is required for better growth performance of Deccani lambs.