Reproductive Performance of Sheep in Irrigated and Rainfed Areas in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh, India

Sai Satish Raju Sarikonda; Asha Latha Peeka; Sudhakar Kaza; Raja Kishore Konka

Authors

Sai Satish Raju Sarikonda Department of Livestock Production Management, NTR College of Veterinary Science (Gannavaram), Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-521101, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
Asha Latha Peeka Department of Livestock Production Management, NTR College of Veterinary Science (Gannavaram), Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-521101, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
Sudhakar Kaza Department of Livestock Production Management, NTR College of Veterinary Science (Gannavaram), Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-521101, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA
Raja Kishore Konka Department of Animal Nutrition, NTR College of Veterinary Science (Gannavaram), Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-521101, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

Keywords:

Irrigated Area, Krishna District, Rainfed Area, Reproductive Performance, Sheep

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the reproductive performance of sheep in irrigated and rainfed areas in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The average age at first mating in ewes, age at first mating in rams, age at first lambing, lambing interval, age at weaning and weight at weaning in irrigated and rainfed areas were 13.16±0.06 and 14.52±0.06 months; 19.89±0.18 and 19.63±0.20 months; 18.24±0.05 and 19.52±0.06 months; 306.68±0.81 and 308.53±1.15 days; 3.71±0.40 and 4.09±0.05 months; 12.57±0.07 and 10.98±0.05 kg, respectively. Overall age at first mating in females, age at first lambing, age at weaning and weight at weaning differed significantly between the two areas. Reproductive performance of sheep flocks in irrigated area was significantly better than the flocks in rainfed area.