Growth and reproductive performance of local sheep and goats in Kargil region (Ladakh)

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate effect of various feed ingredients usually fed to the animals, on body weight, body measurements on 0–3, 3–6, 6–12 and more than 12 months of age. Reproductive performance of sheep and goats were also determined under field condition in various blocks of Kargil. Chemical composition of different feed ingredients usually fed to the animals were analyzed. Body weight was non-significant between 3–6 and 6–12 months age group but significantly higher than 0–3 months, though, >12 months age group had the highest body weight than all other age groups in both the species. Body length was significantly higher in 3–6 and 6–12 months age group than 0–3 months, whereas the highest value recorded in >12 months age group. Chest girth in goats, varied significantly among various age group but in sheep 0–3 and 3–6 months age group had significantly lower than 6–12 and >12 months age group. Height at wither in 6–12 and > 12 months age group had non-significantly different but significantly higher than other 2 age groups, whereas in sheep 3–6 months, and 6–12 months had significantly higher (P<0.05) than 0–3 months age group and highest value obtained in >12 months age group. More than 15% crude protein (CP) observed in lucerne hay, iris, mulberry and red clover leaves. Grains had 6–10% CP, whereas the straws had the lowest CP content. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content higher in apple leaves (60.29%) followed by IRIS (53.62%) among the hay and tree leaves, whereas, the grains had higher soluble carbohydrate content. Total ash content varied from 6.87% in oats to 12.76% in Chenopodium sp. Weight and age at puberty, age at first conception, lambing/kidding percentage and oestrus cycle length was similar in both the species however, oestrous duration in goat was higher than sheep. It was concluded that the growth of sheep and goat is poor in comparison to other places due to harsh climatic condition as well and unavailability of quality feeds for long duration during the year. Though, reproductive performance was comparable to other breeds of sheep and goat of other regions in India.