Reproductive performance of Baruwal sheep under migratory system in Lamjung district of Nepal

The detail reproductive performance of baruwal sheep was not evaluated so far in Nepal. Hence, a study was carried out to reveal the effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive performance of baruwal sheep at Yutarkanya and Gharmu Village Development committees (VDCs) of Lamjung district of Nepal from August 2008 to May 2009. All together 192 ewes and 156 rams were included in this study. The information of individual ewes and rams were collected through migratory flocks through direct observation and survey with the help of semi-structured questionnaire techniques. The age at conception, age at first lambing, gestation period, lambing interval and post partum estrus were 628.95±05.83, 863.78±2.54, 146.76±0.11, 338.21±4.65 and 179.35±2.78 days respectively. These traits were not significantly different (p>0.05) with parity of dam and season of lambing. But in second to fourth parity, baruwal sheep, performed better than others. The major breeding period of sheep was identified in July to September. During this period 51% sheep were conceived and 0% in January to March. Likewise the highest lambing was occurred in October to December (38%) followed by January to March (27%), July to September (12%) and April to June (4%). The bredable period of ram was 1144.80±23.25 days and used in breeding purpose at 536.89±8.31 days after birth. This is a survey study.