Genetic potentials of Lohi sheep of Multan, Pakistan

The present study was conducted to determine the genetic parameters of Lohi sheep maintained in Multan, Punjab. The mean body weight of adult ewe and ram was 54.26±2.2, 61.75±2.6 kg, respectively. The males were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than females. The adult body weight showed seasonal variations, maximum in May and minimum in January. The mean birth weight in male and female lamb was (3.91±0.12, 3.52±0.1kg), respectively. Three distinct phases of growth were seen in lambs. An initial phase of rapid growth (birth-5 months) in which body weight increased from, 3.91±0.12 to 26.4±0.27 kg @ 125 g/day, followed by moderate growth period (5-9 months) showing weight increase from 26.4±0.27 to 37.3±0.91 kg @ 76.23 g/day, and the third slow growth phase (9-13 months), 37.3±0.91 to 44.70±1.02kg with mean growth rate of 58.14g/day. Fertility rate in ewes was 86.3%. . Twice a year lambing was none and 16.34% lambing resulted in twin birth. Mean litter size was 1.53 per ewe. Lambing occurred in two different season i.e. August to November and February to April. In conclusion the Lohi breed has genetically better reproductive performance, birth weight and growth potentials. The lambs have better survival rate. The Lohi sheep has a good breeding potential and are well adopted to survive under the arid and irrigated condition of the area.