GENETIC POTENTIALS OF LOCAL BREED OF SHEEP HABITATING AROUND DERA GHAZI KHAN, PAKISTAN

Genetic parameters of 280 Kacchi sheep kept in different flock sizes [ 25 (small), 25 (medium) and 50 (large)] around district D. G. Khan, Punjab were evaluated during June 2004-May 2005. The mean body weight of adult ewe and ram was 35.19±0.85, 51.24±1.57 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 (3.80±0.31, 3.18±0.05kg), repectively. Three distinct phases of growth were seen in lambs. An initial phase of rapid growth (birth-4 months) in which body weight increased from, 3.80±0.02 to 16.2±0.26 kg @ 128 g/day, followed by moderate growth period (5-9 months) showing weight increase from 18.2±0.20 to 24.26±0.48 kg @ 65.39 g/day, and the third slow growth phase (9-12 months), 24.26±0.48 to 30.1±058 kg with mean growth rate of 55.55 g/day. Fertility rate in ewes was similar across the flocks and was 80.28%. Twice a year lambing was none and 13.60% lambing resulted in twin birth. Mean litter size was 1.5 per ewe. Lambing occured in two different season i.e. Novembre-February and May-June . In conclusion the local breed (Kacchi) has genetically better reproductive performance, birth weight and growth potentials. The lambs have better survival rate. These flocks have a good breeding potential and are well adopted to survive under the arid and irrigated condition of the area.