Sheep Growth and Health

économique de la valorisation des fourrages pauvres par le tourteau de coton dans l'engraissement des moutons Maures au Mali. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2009;**21**:12. Available from: http://www.lrrd.org/

*Sheep Farming - An Approach to Feed, Growth and Health*

[40] Nantoumé H, Ballo A, Kouriba A. Techniques d'embouche ovine. Bamako, Rue Mohamed V: IER; 2007. 21 p

lrrd23/5/nant23110.htm

**56**

**Chapter 4**

**Abstract**

Crossbreeds

*Berhan Tamir Mersso*

definite breeding plan.

highland

**59**

**1. Introduction**

Body Weight Gain and Carcass

Yield Characteristics of Wollo

Highland Sheep and Their F1

*Tadesse Amare Sisay, Gebeyehu Goshu Negia and*

In the study area, sheep flocks are managed under traditional extensive systems with no or minimal inputs and improved technologies, which results in low productivity. The available natural pasture lands are overloaded with livestock beyond optimum carrying capacity that has resulted in overgrazing and land degradation. This indicates the critical need of supplemental feed during feed-deficient period. The objective of the research was assessment of productive performance through on-station feedlot and natural pasture grazing effect on weight gain and carcass yield characteristics evaluation. The average daily weight gain (ADG), total body weight change and final body weights of supplemented groups significantly higher than (p < 0.05) non-supplemented groups. Hence, supplemented and nonsupplemented Awassi crossbreds had higher daily weight gain and followed by supplemented Wollo highland group. Between genotypes, there is significant difference (p < 0.05) of rib-eye area, empty body weight, hot and cold carcass weight and cold carcass dressing percentage. Conversely, Wollo highland sheep has exhibited compensatory growth rate than others. Awassi crossbred lambs has

higher weight gain and faster growth performance followed by Washera crossbred one. Therefore, local breed productive performance improvement practices have to continue and need adjustment of breeding strategies with a

**Keywords:** body weight, carcass, Awassi and Washera, F1 crossbred and Wollo

Ethiopia is not only rich in sheep population but also rich in sheep genetic diversity, which developed by natural selection and potential genetic resources of sheep breeds [1]. In the highlands of the country, about 75% of sheep population are found, while the remaining 25% are distributed in the lowlands [2]. Sheep production is a major component of the livestock sector in Ethiopia, owing to the large population of 30.70 million sheep are estimated to be found in the country, out of which about 72.14% are females, and about 27.86% are males [3]. The small

## **Chapter 4**
