Morphological Characterization of Indigenous Highland Sheep Population of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to phenotypically characterize in local sheep in the highlands of Atsbi-Womberta district in northern Ethiopia. Two hundred fifty seven randomly selected sheep (121 males and 136 females) were grouped into four age groups based on PPI (in full) as (0 PPI, 1 PPI, 2 PPI, and 3 PPI. Lateral ear orientation (93.5%), uniform coat pattern (49 %) with beige color, medium hair length with course hair (61%), curved (50%) horn shape with lateral orientation (58%), In-between the lanky and compacted body shape (82%) and flat face (62%) are among the major physical  characteristic of the highland sheep flock found in the study area. The mean (±SE) live body weight for male and female sheep was 23.3±0.5 kg and 20.9±0.3 kg, respectively. The mean (±SE) value of body weight at age group 0 PPI, 1 PPI, 2 PPI, and ≥3 PPI was recorded as 19.3±0.3 kg, 23.0±0.6 kg, 25.7±0.8 kg and 28.9±0.8 kg, respectively for male and 17.1±0.1 kg, 20.1±0.6 kg, 22.3±0.4 kg and 23.4±0.2 kg  for female in the respective age categories. The mean (±SE) values of heart girth, body length, and height at wither was 71.6±0.6 cm, 57.6±0.8 cm and 62.2±0.7 cm, respectively for male and 68.4±0.4 cm, 54.9±0.5 cm, and 58.5±0.5 cm, respectively for female. The study concluded that the highland sheep found in Atsbiwonberta district is small sheep breed adapted in the dry highland area, reproduced, and contributed to the socioeconomic life of the local community. 

Keywords: Highland sheep, phenotypic characterization, body measurement and prediction equation