Identification of Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Pre-Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight and Greasy Fleece Performance of Kajli Sheep at Two Ecologies in Pakistan

  

    
Year    of

      Birth
    
No    of

      Observations
    
Spring

      Shearing
    
Autumn

      Shearing
    
Significance
  
  

    
1994
    
1009
    
1.17±0.01
    
1.17±0.01
    
P<0.001
  
  

    
1995
    
1021
    
1.33±0.01
    
1.33±0.01
  
  

    
1996
    
837
    
1.37±0.01
    
1.37±0.01
  
  

    
1997
    
773
    
1.34±0.01
    
1.35±0.01
  
  

    
1998
    
517
    
1.31±0.01
    
1.31±0.01
  
  

    
1999
    
1124
    
1.30±0.01
    
1.30±0.01
  
  

    
2000
    
755
    
1.31±0.01
    
1.31±0.01
  
  

    
2001
    
397
    
1.38±0.01
    
1.38±0.01
  
  

    
2002
    
660
    
1.37±0.01
    
1.37±0.01
  
  

    
2003
    
429
    
1.34±0.01
    
1.34±0.01
  
  

    
2004
    
371
    
1.34±0.01
    
1.34±0.01
  
  

    
2005
    
348
    
1.36±0.01
    
1.37±0.01
  
  

    
2006
    
374
    
1.28±0.01
    
1.28±0.01
  
  

    
2007
    
379
    
1.22±0.01
    
1.22±0.01
  
  

    
2008
    
37
    
1.28±0.03
    
1.28±0.03
  
  

    
Season of Birth
  
  

    
Spring
    
3513
    
1.31±0.01
    
1.32±0.01
    
NS
  
  

    
Autumn
    
5518
    
1.31±0.00
    
1.31±0.00
  
  

    
Sex
  
  

    
Male
    
256
    
1.38±0.01
    
1.38±0.01
    
P<0.01
  
  

    
Female
    
8775
    
1.25±0.00
    
1.25±0.00
  
  

    
Type of Birth
  
  

    
Single
    
7622
    
1.32±0.00
    
1.32±0.00
    
P<0.001
  
  

    
Twin
    
1409
    
1.31±0.01
    
1.31±0.01
  
  

    
Area 
  
  

    
Khizerabad
    
8732
    
1.06±0.00
    
1.07±0.00 
    
P<0.001
  
  

    
Khushab
    
299
    
1.56±0.01
    
1.56±0.01
  

Table 6: Least Squares Mean (±SE) for greasy fleece weight (kg).

Discussion

Birth type and sex proportion

The level of birth type and sex proportion change in various breeds revealed by Akhtar [11] as the twinning rate in the Hissardale sheep flocks were 19 and sex proportion was 52.5:47.5 males and females separately which were in concurrence with the present investigation. The slight distinction was may be expected to the diverse in breed and variety in manage mental practice.

Phenotypic execution

The mean birth weight of Kajli lambs in the present study was found the average value of 4.16±0.01 kg and it is in concurrence with numerous specialists who announced birth weight in various types of sheep kept up in various ecological conditions [12,13,7,14-16]. The comparative mean birth weight in Kajli sheep announced by Hussain [14] like 3.8 and 4.1 kg at Khushab and Khizarabad, individually. Dixit, Dhillon et al., [12] announced average lamb weight as 3.1±0.03 kg in Bharat Merino in India. Babar, Ahmad et al., [7] reported least squares mean for birth weight as 3.59±0.02 kg in Lohi sheep whereas, Hussain 2006 [14] revealed average weight during at birth as 4.11±0.82 kg in Thalli sheep kept at LES Rakh Ghulaman. These researchers have revealed low birth weight than the discoveries of the present investigation. These distinctions might be because of contrast in breeds, areas, size of an informational collection, or other managemental practices.

The average weaning weight of sheep as acquired in the present study was 18.70±0.08 kg. The weaning weight of Kajli in the present flock was higher than numerous types of sheep breed (Bharat Merino, Muzaffarnagri) as revealed [17,12]. Sinha and Singh [17] the analysis revealed that the weaning weight of Muzaffarnagri sheep was 16.82±0.37 kg. Dixit, Dhillon et al., [12] reported the average sheep weaning weight were 15.0±0.2 kg at weaning in Bharat Merino. Nonetheless, some different specialists Babar, Ahmad et al., and Qureshi, Babar et al., [7,15] reported higher weaning weight when contrasted with the weaning weight saw in the present study. Babar [18] data analysis revealed that weaning weight in Lohi sheep arrived at the average of 23.09±0.13 kg. Akhtar [11] announced that the weaning weight of Hissardale sheep arrived at the average of 20.1±3.86 kg. The yearling weight of Kajli as researched in the present study was 37.52±0.06 kg. The yearling weight announced by Akhtar [11] was 30.7±3.83 kg which was not exactly the yearling weight detailed in the present investigation. Pre weaning normal day-by-day weight gain as examined in the present investigation was 142.34±0.83 gm. Akhtar [11] detailed 135±0.04 gm pre-weaning normal day-by-day weight in Hissardale sheep. Dixit, Dhillon et al., [12] detailed pre-weaning normal day-by-day weight gain as 133±1.6 gms in Bharat Merino.

Ecological Components Influencing Execution Qualities

Birth weight

The huge impact of year, sex of sheep conceived, sort of birth and flock on birth weight as recorded in the present study are in concurrence with numerous specialists [12,13,7,14-16]. Dixit, Dhillon et al., [12] detailed that year and period of lambing, sex of lamb, sort of birth and time of dam were noteworthy wellsprings of variety for sheep birth loads in Bharat Merino sheep. Akhtar, Javed et al., [16] announced that the birth weight in Hissardale was altogether influenced by year, season, kind of birth, sex, and age of the dam (P<0.01). The discoveries of Qureshi, Babar et al., [19] are totally in concurrence with the present investigation who announced the significant and critical impact of by station, year of birth, sex, and birth type (P<0.01). Further, like our investigation, the impact of season on birth weight was recorded as non-noteworthy and non-significant. The variety of birth weight in lambs at various years mirrored the degree of the executives, some natural impacts like temperature and dampness just as the accessibility of feed. It has been commented that the degree of the board will undoubtedly differ as indicated by the capacity of the homestead administrator, his arrangement of harvest cultivation, strategies and power of separating and his effectiveness in the supervision of farm work just as the accessibility of money related assets [11]. The administration of farms more likely than not been changed much of the time and its belongings are reflected in the presentation attributes throughout the years. The birth weight of lamb likewise fluctuated with sex and kind of birth. Single conceived lamb is heavier than the variously conceived lamb as they have better open doors in the uterus of their dams when contrasted with differently conceived lamb. Essentially, the males lambs were heavier during birth as the gestation time of males is marginally longer when contrasted with females [18]. Various reports in writing demonstrated that solitary conceived lambs just as the male lambs were heavier than numerous births and females. As in the present analysis, the birth weight of males is heavier than females (4.44±0.01 and 3.88±0.01 individually). So also the single conceived have heavier birth weight than a twin (4.63±0.12 and 3.69±0.19 separately). The extreme lambing was accounted for in the spring season (83.04 percent) while 4.86 percent were accounted for in fall and just 11.92 were accounted for in off-seasons. It demonstrates the season of breeding in Lohi sheep under Pakistan climatic conditions.

Weaning weight

The time of the birth, season, kind of birth, and herd had a significant impact on the characteristic (Table 3). The discoveries of numerous specialists were in fractional concurrence with the present investigation. Qureshi, Babar et al., [19] announced noteworthy contrasts because of year and period of birth and weaning age for generally weaning weight while birth type and sex had non-significant impacts on the characteristic in Kajli sheep kept at LES Khushab and Khizarabad during the period 1980-1994. Bathaei and Leroy [20] the detailed significant impact of a year of birth; sex, sire and kind of birth on all development bend parameters in Mehraban Iranian sheep. Dixit, Dhillon et al., [12] Revealed that year and period of lambing, sex of lamb, sort of birth, time of dam and ewe weight were noteworthy wellsprings of variety for lamb weight and every day gains in Bharat Merino sheep. The birth weight of lambs significantly affected weaning weight (P<0.05) demonstrating that the lambs of higher birth weight had grown up better to weaning when contrasted with lambs having lighter weight during childbirth. Period of birth had noteworthy impact on weaning weight (Table 3). The most extreme weight 19.58±0.08 kg was observed for the lamb conceived during winter season while the lamb conceived during spring season had the base (17.83±0.09 kg) weight at weaning.

Yearling weight

The aftereffects of the present study indicated noteworthy impacts of year of birth, the period of birth and time of dam on yearling weight, there was a critical impact of sex on the attribute. Kinds of birth and herd have non-significant impact on the attribute (Table 4). Numerous researchers detailed comparative outcomes in various types of sheep kept at various areas and managemental conditions. Akhtar [11] led a study on Hissardale sheep and revealed that variety in yearling body weight because of year and sex was significant. Notwithstanding, the impact of season and sort of birth on yearling body weight was non-significant and this was in halfway concurrence with the present analysis. Qureshi, Babar et al., [19] detailed that analysis of variance indicated significant contrasts (P<0.01) in largely yearling body weight, because of year of birth and period of birth and birth type. Nevertheless, the impact of dam age on in general yearling weight was non-significant and it was partially in concurrence with the present investigation. Hussain [15] revealed that the variety in yearling body weight because of the year of birth, sex and sort of birth were huge significant (P<0.01). In any case, the impacts of season and collaboration among birth and birth type on yearling weight were non-significant and it was additionally incompletely in concurrence with the present investigation, the period of birth had a significant impact (P<0.01) on yearling weight (Table 4). The sheep conceived during spring season had most extreme weight at one-year age pursued by the lambs, conceived during the winter season. The sheep conceived during spring season had the most noteworthy birth weight (Table 4) and a similar pattern stayed during the development period, which finished into higher weight at one-year age.

Pre weaning average every day gain

The time of birth, the period of birth, sort of birth and herd, have noteworthy impact, while sex has non-significant. Babar [18] analyzed data on 3973 sheep and detailed that solitary conceived sheep more increasingly (179.9±1.9 gm/day) than sheep conceived as numerous (157.9±1.9 gm/day), these discoveries are not in concurrence with the discoveries of the present investigation. Akhtar [11] reported that the impact of period of birth was noteworthy which was in agreement with the aftereffects of the present analysis. He detailed that the impact of period of birth on pre-weaning weight increase was significant as spring conceived sheep increased better (135gms) as contrast with harvest time conceived sheep (130gms). Dixit, Dhillon et al., [12] contemplated hereditary and non-hereditary effects on the body-weight of 2425 Bharat Merino sheep sired by 154 rams more than 1982-1996, Year and period of lambing, sex of sheep and kind of birth were significant wellsprings of variety for sheep weight and every day gains. These outcomes were not in accordance with the discoveries of the present investigation.

Greasy fleece weight

The outcomes as acquired in the present analysis uncovered that time of birth, herd and sex of sheep had significant impact on fleece weight (Table 6), while the period of birth and kind of birth had non-significant impact on the quality under investigation. Numerous specialists announced the impact of ecological factors on wool yield in various breeds kept up under various managemental conditions. Babar [18] reported that yearly fleece yield in Lohi sheep was 2.49±0.03 kg, it was additionally seen that time of shearing and age at shearing had a significant impact on fleece yield. It was additionally revealed that spring wool yield in Lohi sheep was 1.49±0.02 kg, which was likewise affected by year of shearing and weight at shearing. It was additionally detailed that fleece yield contrasts because of season and age at shearing were non-noteworthy. Qureshi, Babar et al., [19] revealed that normal yearly fleece weight was 2.65±0.03 kg and the investigation of fluctuation for yearly greasy wool weight demonstrated that time of shearing, age at shearing and sex were significant wellsprings of variety while birth type had a non-significant impact, this was in concurrence with the present investigation. Sinha and Singh [17] broke down information on Muzaffarnagri sheep and reported that the impacts of year of birth and kind of the executives on first shearing fleece yield were all significant wellsprings of variety. Hussain [15] reported that the analysis of variance for fleece yield uncovered that time of shearing, kind of birth and age at shearing significantly affected greasy fleece weight. The above studies were partially in concurrence with the present investigation. The yearly variety in greasy fleece weight during various years demonstrated managemental just as dietary contrasts. The expansion in greasy wool weight with the progression of age/equality might be ascribed towards increment in body size with headway of age. Clearly, it might be because of reality that the male sheep were heavier and cumbersome than females at all age.

Dixit, Singh et al., [21] data analysis revealed that the fleece weight is affected by the contribution of genetic and phenotypic parameters; in bharat merino sheep breed study over the period of 1982-1996 was evaluated. The fleece trait was up to 42 %, showed variability due to the phenotypic parameters. Furthermore, they added that body weight and fleece yield have significant and desirable genetic association.

Conclusion

The profitable and reproductive attribute are affected by genotype as well as environment. Previously, a few investigations have been directed on Kajli sheep yet climatic and seasonal contrasts from year to year impact the creation of entire flock. In any case, the exhibition qualities are additionally impacted by environment. Among these ecological elements, atmosphere and seasonal contrasts among various years influence the production of the entire flock, while sex, kind of birth, age and weight influence the individual execution. The observed presentation of every animal in every attribute is the consequence of the heredity that it gets from the both parents and nature wherein it is raised. In any event, when an endeavor is made to give a uniform domain, there are yet unplanned and obscure natural contrasts between animals. Such arbitrary ecological factors in this way cause contrasts in the declaration of financially significant characteristics. The distinction may be ascribed to customary supplementation of apportion to the flock. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs and single conceived sheep were likewise altogether heavier than twins were during childbirth. Results showed that Kajli breed could be improved through selection and better administration. Which shows ecological variables can be controlled to accomplish higher additions. The twining was poor however, lambing rate was very higher and, auxiliary sex proportion was by desires. Better administration and supplementation was significant wellspring of contrasts among groups at various areas. These distinctions may be because of normal supplementation of proportion. Male lambs were brought into the world heavier than females and single lambs were likewise altogether heavier than the twins were. These discoveries recommended that Kajli sheep can be improved by determination and better administration rehearse. Low evaluation of the Kajli sheep and wide scope of phenotypic variety because of natural elements recommended that improvement in encouraging, parasites control and the managements and so forth may improve the development performance of Kajli sheep. It is additionally obvious that improvement in efficiency of Kajli sheep might be accomplished through better encouraging and improved manage mental practices.

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thanks Agricultural Linkage Program (ALP)-PARC.

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