On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Sheep Types in Selale Area, Central Ethiopia
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ary Scien in ce r te & e T V e f c h o Abera et al., J Veterinar Sci Technolo 2014, 5:3 n l Journal of Veterinary Science & o a l n o r DOI: 10.4172/2157-7579.1000180 g u y o J ISSN: 2157-7579 Technology Research Article Open Access On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Sheep Types in Selale Area, Central Ethiopia Bosenu Abera1, Kefelegn Kebede2, Solomon Gizaw3 and Teka Feyera4* 1Jigjiga University College of Dry Land Agriculture, Ethiopia 2Haramaya University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Ethiopia 3Debre Berhan Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia 4Jigjiga University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ethiopia Abstract The study was conducted to physically characterize indigenous sheep types in Selale area, Debre Libanos and Wuchale districts, Central Ethiopia. A total of 560 mature sheep were sampled randomly for characterization of phenotypic traits. Majority of the ewes and rams in both districts had plain coat color pattern (58.21%) followed by patchy (33.33%). Majority of female and male sheep in the study areas had medium and smooth coat cover. All the sampled sheep population in both districts has characteristics of long fat tailed type. Body weight of female sheep in age group1(0PPI), age group2(1PPI) and age group 3(≥ 2PPI) were 24.3 ± 0.6 kg, 25.8 ± 0.5 kg and 28.7 ± 0.2 kg, respectively, and the values for males in the same age groups were 25.7 ± 0.3 kg, 31.9 ± 0.8 kg and 38.2 ± 2.0 kg, respectively. Wuchale sheep (27.9 ± 0.20 kg) were comparable with Debre Libanos sheep (27.6 ± 0.2 kg). Debre Libanos sheep had significantly higher linear body measurements (P<0.05) than Wuchale sheep population. Sex of the sheep had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the body weight, ear length and rump length. The interaction of sex and age group significantly (p<0.05) influenced all linear body measurements except ear length of the sheep. The interaction of age group and location was significant (p<0.05) for all linear body measurements. Heart girth and body length were found to be the most important variables for estimation of body weight in sheep. For any breed improvement program and to boost productivity of indigenous sheep, characterization is the baseline so; this preliminary work could be used to support genetic analyses to determine variation between and within these small populations. Keywords: Characterization; Debre Libanos; Phenotypic traits; indigenous sheep breeding should be made available. Hence, this study Selale; Sheep types; Wuchale was attempted to physically characterize indigenous sheep types in Selale area, Central Ethiopia. Introduction Materials and Methods Ethiopia is endowed with huge livestock resources of varied and diversified genetic pools with specific adaptations to a wide range of Study area agro-ecologies. Farm animals as a whole are an integral part of the The study was conducted in Selale area, Debre Libanos and country’s agricultural system and are raised both in the highland and Wuchale district, central Ethiopia. Debre Libanos and Wuchale district lowland areas. In developing countries, livestock production is mostly are located at 85 km and 75 km north of the capital Addis Ababa, subsistence oriented and fulfills multiple functions that contribute more respectively. Debre Libanos is located in 38o58’ 33”E longitude and for food security [1,2]. The demand for livestock products is increasing 9o 63’ 75’’N latitude with altitude ranging from 1500 to 2700 m.a.s.l. due to the growing urban population, while farm areas are shrinking For Debre Libanos the maximum and minimum annual temperature considerably as a result of an increase in the rural population [3]. is 230C and 150C, respectively. Its main rainy season occurs between Ethiopia is home for at least 9 breeds and 14 traditional sheep May and September and the dry season lasts from October to April. populations [4] with an estimated 25.9 million heads. Out of which Wuchale district is located in 38o 47’E longitude and 9o54’N latitude about 73.1 percent are females, and about 26.9 percent are males [5]. Of with maximum temperature of 250C and minimum of 30C. Similarly, the total sheep population, 75 percent is found in the highlands where the main rainy season of Wuchale district occurs between May and mixed crop-livestock systems dominate, while the remaining 25 per September and the dry season lasts from October to April. Clay and cent of the sheep is found in the lowlands [6]. The main production sandy soils are the major soil types of the zone. In both of the districts from indigenous sheep populations in Selale area is meat, skin and agricultural production is characterized by a mixed crop-livestock manure.For planning of community based breeding strategy as well as production system [9] (Figure 1). setting up a useful sheep development program, the genetic and the phenotypic merit and production system of that particular breed is a must. It has been stressed that identification and characterization of *Corresponding author: Teka Feyera, Jigjiga University College of Veterinary livestock genetic resources and their production environment is vital Medicine, Ethiopia, Tel: +251 913199648; E-mail: [email protected] for long-term genetic improvement and sustained use of available Received April 12, 2014; Accepted May 31, 2014; Published June 10, 2014 resources [7]. Citation: Abera B, Kebede K, Gizaw S, Feyera T (2014) On-Farm Phenotypic On farm characterization can serve as basis for the sustainable Characterization of Indigenous Sheep Types in Selale Area, Central Ethiopia. J Veterinar Sci Technol 5: 180. doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000180 improvement and conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources, and has received increasing attention in determining the variation Copyright: © 2014 Abera B, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted between and within pure breeds [8]. Thus, more comprehensive use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and information specific to on-farm phenotypic characterization of source are credited. J Veterinar Sci Technolo ISSN: 2157-7579 JVST, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 3 • 1000180 Citation: Abera B, Kebede K, Gizaw S, Feyera T (2014) On-Farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Sheep Types in Selale Area, Central Ethiopia. J Veterinar Sci Technol 5: 180. doi:10.4172/2157-7579.1000180 Page 2 of 6 Location map of the study areas N 9°48′N 9°45′N 9°44′N 9°40′N 9°40′N 9°35′N 9°36′N 9°30′N 9°25′N 38°44′E 38°48′E 38°52′E 38°56′E 38°45′E 38°55′E 39°E 39°5′E Legend Debrelibanos 0 4.5 9 18 27 36 wuchale Km Figure 1: Location map of the study area. Sampling procedure Data management and analysis Selection of the studied districts and peasant associations were done Statistical analyses were made separately for male and female using multi-stage purposive sampling technique in consultation with zonal animals on variables that varied on sex; otherwise the data were merged and district bureau of agriculture experts. Four Kebeles in Debre Libanos and analyzed together. Qualitative data from individual observation (Wakene, Sone, Dire Jibbo and Tere) and four Kebeles in Wuchale district were analyzed following the frequency procedures of SAS version (Jate, Harkiso, Adere Gordoma and Gora Keteba) were selected based on 9.1(2005). The General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS was their suitability for sheep production, road access and willingness of the employed to analyze quantitative variables to determine effects of class farmers to participate in the study. A total of 400 female (200 in Debre variables (sex, district and dentition). The effects of class variables and Libanos and 200 in Wuchale) and 160 male (80 in Debre Libanos and 80 their interaction were expressed as Least Square Means (LSM) ± SE. Due in Wuchale) sheep were selected for body linear measurements. to the low number of males in each dentition class, analysis was done Data collection for both sexes independently. Within each sex, location and dentition were fitted as fixed factors. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between The standard breed descriptor list for sheep developed by FAO [10] linear bodies measurements under consideration were computed for was closely followed in selecting morphological variables. Qualitative both of the sheep types within each sex. traits like: coat color pattern, coat color type, hair type, head profile, ears, wattle, horn, ruff and tail were observed and recorded. Body Univariate and multivariate analysis measurements: Chest Girth (CG), Body Length (BL), Wither Height (WH), Rump width (RW), Ear Length (EL), Horn Length (HL), General linear model procedures (PROC GLM) of the SAS Tail Length (TL), Tail width (TW), Rump length (RL) and Scrotum were employed for quantitative variables to detect statistical circumference (SC) were measured using flexible measuring tape while differences among sample sheep populations. Mean comparisons weight was measured using suspended spring balance having 50kg were made for variables showing significant differences between capacity with 0.2kg precision. Each experimental animal was identified sample populations. The quantitative variables from female and by sex, districts and age group. Adult sheep were classified into three male animals were separately subjected to discriminant analysis age groups; 0PPI (zero pair of permanent incisor), 1PPI (one pair of (PROC DISCRIM of SAS) and canonical discriminant analysis permanent incisor) and 2PPI (two pair of permanent incisor. Linear (CAN DISC) programme to ascertain the existence of population body measurements were taken by restraining and holding the animals level phenotypic differences among the sample sheep populations in a stable condition.