Statistical analysis of growth performance in Mecheri Breed of Sheep

Abstract

Statistical analysis of growth performance in Mecheri sheep was carried out using age-wise body weight data of Mecheri lambs maintained at Mecheri Sheep Research Station, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pottaneri. The overall least-squares means (±S.E.) of body weights at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 2.37±0.008, 9.61±0.062, 12.56±0.071, 15.32±0.085 and 17.87±0.102 kg, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed the effect of period and season of lambing had highest significant (P≤0.01) difference on body weight in Mecheri sheep. The results indicated that the lambs born during the season-2 and period-6 had the highest growth performance in all the age groups. Similarly, the minimum weights were noticed period-2 and season 1 of lambing. The results also revealed that male lambs had higher body weight than females at all ages except birth weight.