Abstract:
The study was conducted in Farta and Lay Gaint districts as well as Adet Washera sheep breed
improvement sub-center of the Amhara Region.' Data collected from 2007 to 2010 was used to
evaluate growth performance, reproductive performance, survival rate of Washera, Farta and
their crossbred sheep. Additionally, the sheep production systems of the study areas were
described and the sheep were phenotypically characterized. The fixed effects considered in this
study were breed, district, lamb sex, parity of the dam, birth or lambing season and year, birth
type and management system. Performance data were analyzed using general linear model
procedure of Statistical Analysis System while the correlation and regression of linear body
measurements on body weight and participatory rural appraisal were analysed using Statistical
Package for Social Science. The major constraints to sheep production in the study areas were
feed shortage (44%), animal health problems (28%), labour shortage (J5%) and occurrence of
drought (J3%). The average flock size per household was 11 sheep. The least squares means and
standard errors of age at first lambing of Washera and Farta sheep were 399.48±5.2days and
410.19±6. 7 days, respectively. While, the lambing interval of Washera and Farta sheep were
293.43±17. 05days and 283.97±13. 72 days, respectively. Washera sheep was found to be prolific
(litter size of 1.1l± 0.02) than Farta (J.01±0.01). The least squares mean and standard errors of
yearling weight for Washera, Farta and their crossbred sheep were 23. 70±1.J3kg, 20. 08±0. 73kg
and 21.35±1.56kg, respectively; Whereas the average daily gain from birth to 30 days for these
sheep breeds were 84. 79±4.65gm, 64. 53±9. 75gm and 82.21±5.61gm, respectively. The survival
rate of Washera, Farta and crossbred sheep from birth to monthly age was 98±0.01% which is
equal for all breeds. Washera sheep breed has higher value for body weight, wither at height and
pelvic width than Farta and crossbred sheep. This shows that this breed has large body weight and
large body size as explained by the framers. Washera sheep has better growth performance and
survival rate under onfarm than under on station management system. When Washera, Farta and
their crossbred sheep were evaluated so far biologically, Washera sheep was much better in
growth & growth rate performance and in linear body measurements followed by crossbred sheep.
Along with this Washera sheep is also better in prolificacy and annual reproductive rate than
Farta sheep. To substantiate superior biological performance of Washera sheep in the study area
with economic benefit of beneficiaries, further study on cost benefit analysis is recommended.