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Breed characteristics of Mecheri sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

K. Karunanithi ,
M.R. Purushothaman ,
A.K. Thiruvenkadan ,
G. Singh ,
D.K. Sadana  and
M. Murugan
K. Karunanithi
Affiliation:
Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, 636 453, Tamil Nadu, India
M.R. Purushothaman
Affiliation:
Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, 636 453, Tamil Nadu, India
A.K. Thiruvenkadan
Affiliation:
Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, 636 453, Tamil Nadu, India
G. Singh
Affiliation:
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132 001, Haryana, India
D.K. Sadana
Affiliation:
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal 132 001, Haryana, India
M. Murugan
Affiliation:
Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Pottaneri, 636 453, Tamil Nadu, India
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Summary

This study was carried out on 2 309 households in 60 villages with the objective of documenting the performance of Mecheri sheep in their native environment. The study revealed that Mecheri sheep were distributed in Salem, Erode, Karur, Namakkal and parts of Dharmapuri districts of Tamil Nadu. This tract lies in the north-western agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu and the climate is generally hot, semi-arid and tropical in nature.

The average flock size of Mecheri sheep was 24, of which, there were 1 ram, 17 ewes and 6 lambs. Mecheri sheep of medium size with a compact body and covered with short hairs, which are not shorn. They are light brown in colour. Their profile reveals a slightly Roman nose. Both males and females are polled. The pooled means for height at withers, chest girth and body length at above 24 months of age were 67±0.4, 74±0.4 and 66±0.4 cm, respectively. The body weight of the animals at birth 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age was 2.82±0.01, 10.9±0.1, 15.6±0.1, 17.6±0.2 and 21.1±0.1, kg respectively. The dressing percentage of males and females was 54.4±0.4 and 51.8±0.5, respectively. Average ages at first oestrus, mating and lambing were 12.1±0.1, 12.4±0.1 and 17.4±0.1 months, respectively. The average lambing interval was 226±0.7 days and the average litter size was one.

Resumen

El presente estudio se llevó a cabo con 2 309 granjas en 60 poblados con el fin de documentar los rendimientos de la oveja Mecheri en su entorno natural. El estudio reveló que la oveja Mecheri se distribuye entre las zones de Salem, Erode, Karur, Namakkal y partes de los distritos de Dharmapuri en la region de Tamil Nadu. Esta zona se encuentra en el noroeste de la parte agroclimática de Tamil Nadu y el clima es generalmente caliente, semi árido y tropical. La media de los rebaños es de 24 animales de los cuales 1 macho, 17 hembras y 6 crías. La oveja Mecheri es de tamaño medio con cuerpo compacto y cubierto de pelo corto que no se esquila. Su perfil denota una narz romana. Tanto los machos como las hembras están registrados. Las medidas indicadas para la altura al garrete, circunferencia torácica, largura corporal a los 24 meses es, respectivamente, de 67±0,4; 74±0,4 y 66±0,4 cm. El peso corporal de los animales al nacer, a los 3, 6, 9 y 12 meses es, respectivamente, de 2,82±0,01; 10,9±0,1; 15,6±0,1; 17,6±0,2 y 21±0,1 kg. El porcentaje de manto en los machos y hembras es, respectivamente, de 54,4±0,4 y 51,8±0,5. Le media de edad al primer estro, apareamiento y parto es de 12,1±0,1, 12,4±0,1 y 17,4±0,1 meses, respectivamente. El intervalo medio entre parteos es de 226±0,7 días y la media de crías por parto de uno.

Keywords

Mecheri sheepMeat typePerformanceCharacteristicsIndia
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 37 , April 2005 , pp. 53 - 62
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2005

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References

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