On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Sheep in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

The current study was conducted in Tokke Kutaye, Ambo and Dandi districts of West Shewa zone to investigate the phenotypic characteristics of indigenous sheep found in the areas as a step towards developing sustainable sheep breeding strategy. The districts were purposively selected based on their potential for indigenous sheep production and the long-standing issues of demarcating clear boundaries between Horro and the central highland sheep breeds. Field observation, measuring and recording of sheep physical and morphmetrical characters were employed to capture all relevant information. Body weight and linear measurements were taken on 690 adult sheep (200 females and 30 males from each district). Age was estimated from dentition. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS, 2008) software was used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data. Plain coat color was the dominant color with 76.2%, 70.9% and 70.9 % in Tokke Kutaye Ambo and Dandi districts, respectively. Almost all of male sheep in Dandi and about half in Ambo districts were horned while the majority of male sheep were polled in Tokke Kutaye district. Pair wise comparison of the least squares means of body weight and linear body measurements were significantly affected by the district, sex and age (P<0.01). The recorded body mature weight was 28.4±0.24, 26.1±0.19 and 25.9±0.15kg for sheep in Tokke Kutaye, Ambo and Dandi, respectively. All linear body measurements considered in this study were significantly (p<0.01) higher for male. Chest girth had the highest correlation coefficient for both males (0.79) and females (0.73). Based on results obtained from both qualitative and quantitative traits, the geographical demarcation of Horro and the central high land sheep breeds is Ambo district. Further investigation is warranted to put clear demarcation between the two breeds through deepest phenotypic and molecular characterizations.