Sheep Breeding Practices and Reproductive Performances in Arba Minch Zuria District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The study was carried to characterize breeding practices and reproductive performances of sheep genotypeskept in Arba Minch Zuria District. This study area was selected for its potential of sheep production andexistence of various sheep types. It was stratified into three distinctive agro-ecologies; highland (HL), midland(ML) and lowland (LL). For survey data collection, a total of 138 households were selected using probabilityproportional sampling technique. They were interviwed using structured interview questions. A focus groupdiscussion was also made with 12 members who were knowledgeable enough about sheep production andrelated intervention events in the study area. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the SocialScience (SPSS) version 20. Statistical variations in categorical data were tested by means of cross tabs withsignificant differences at P < 0.05. The overall purposes of sheep rearing across all agroecological zones weresources of income, saving, meat production, sharing the risk and manure production, ranked first to fifthrespectively. Breeding system was generally uncontrolled and no planned selection of breeding stock waspracticed. Rams were herded together with ewes. Body size, coat color and length and fatty tail type (forBonga and Doyogena) were the most frequently reported traits in selecting breeding rams; whereas size, color,tail size and twinning rate were mentioned as traits given due emphasis in choosing future breeding ewes. Theoverall age at first lambing was 12.81±0.14 months, lambing interval was 7.52±.08 months and litter size was1.50±.08 lamb per sheep (P < 0.05). A high lambing month was extended from April to May. As per thecurrent reproductive performance, the sheep breeds of the study could be categorized as medium levelproductivity. Therefore; considering a huge and valuable contribution of sheep production to the producers;besides this survey information further confirmatory record based research is highly recommended to identifyand select superior animals based on their performance for economically important traits. In addition, theuncontrolled breeding practice of the study communities should be minimized.