Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T06:23:58.806Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Comparative performance of indigenous and exotic sheep in the Indian arid zone

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. P. Mittal  and
P. K. Ghosh
J. P. Mittal
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Studies, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India
P. K. Ghosh
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Studies, Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, India
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The body weight and fleece weight of Marwari and Magra sheep (rams) of the desert areas of north-western India are compared with those of Corriedale rams, which are being imported into India for improving the productivity of the local stock through cross-breeding. All three breeds showed marked seasonal fluctuation in their body weight. While the Corriedales lost more body weight than the indigenous breeds during peak summer, they appeared to endure the relatively poor winter pasture conditions somewhat better. Between July and October, with the availability of lush monsoonal pasture, all three breeds increased in body weight.

The greasy fleece weight of Corriedale rams was nearly double that of indigenous rams. The potential of the Corriedale ram for improving the productivity of the local stock is discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 92 , Issue 2 , April 1979 , pp. 273 - 276
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Basuthakur, A. K. & Singh, O. N. (1969). A study of body weight and conformation of Coimbatore and Corriedale sheep. Indian Veterinary Journal 46, 1065–1068.Google Scholar
Bhatnagar, V. S., Seth, O. N. & Pandey, M. D. (1973). Age changes in the body weight, surface area and wool yield of Bikaneri (Magra) sheep. Indian Veterinary Journal 50, 785–788.Google Scholar
Katada, A. & Takeda, I. (1958). Effect of age on fleece weight of Corriedale ewes with regard to relationship among three characters. Japanese Journal of Breeding 7, 264–270. (Animal Breeding Abstracts 29, 1481).Google Scholar
Mittal, J. P. & Ghosh, P. K. (1978). Comparative semen characteristics of Corriedale, Marwari and Jaisalmeri rams maintained under hot arid conditions. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 92, 1–4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mittal, J. P. & Pandey, M. D. (1975). Effect of age and season on wool yield in Bikaneri (Magra) ewes. Indian Journal of Animal Science 45, 161—162.Google Scholar
Singh, O. N., Prasad, J. N. & Sinha, B. M. (1962). Comparative study of growth of Bihar and Bikaneri sheep and their crosses. Indian Veterinary Journal 39, 670–675.Google Scholar
Taneja, G. C. & Ghosh, P. K. (1967). Body weight and fleece weight in relation to blood potassium types in Marwari sheep. Indian Veterinary Journal 44, 402–404.Google ScholarPubMed