PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF GAROLE X INDIGENOUS CROSSBRED SHEEP (F1) UNDER SEMI-INTENSIVE SYSTEM IN SOUTHWEST COASTAL AREA OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine performance of the morphological characteristics, productive and reproductive performance of crossbred of Garole and Indigenous native sheep under semi-intensive management conditions. In this research, two pure line Garole ram were crossed with non-descriptive indigenous 20 ewes. Equal amount of feed and same management were provided to all sheep. Number of total born was 22 where male and female lamb was 54.55% and 45.45%, respectively. Principal Component Analysis extracted four major components which explained 81.84% of the total variation. PC1 differentiated the genotype of birth weight of lamb and explained 30.46% of total variation and PC2 differentiated the genotype of weaning weight and gain between weaning period and explained 24.18% of total variation. The PC3 and PC4 explained 14.78% and 12.41%, respectively. The genotypes were divided into four cluster where cluster III contained more genotypes (eight among twenty two genotypes) which contributed 36.36% of the total genotypes and it also pertained three positive traits (weight at maturity, weight at first lambing and birth weight of lamb). All of the traits in cluster III which contained superior genotypes of breeding performance. Cluster IV contained less number of genotypes (only three genotypes) which was 13.64% of the total genotypes. Maximum cluster distance was found between cluster II and cluster IV. The result of this study suggested to cross between cluster II and IV to get progeny with high body weight. The genotypes of cluster III might be used  for possible commercialization purpose , while for hybridization pupose, best progeny can be obtained  from cluster II and IV.

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