REPRODUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF KARI SHEEP UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS

Reproductive behaviour of Karisheepwas studied duringa three years period comprisingtwo consecutives phases .726 sheep spread in thirty shepherds flocks at the three harbouringvalleysi.e.,Garam-Chashma (GC), Karimabad (KD) and Arkari (AR),were studiedfollowinga reproductivetrialunder controlled conditions near Chitral city .Kariewes exhibitedoestrousseasonality. November to January conceded 43% of total recordedconceptions. Lambings although, spread over the year, were concentrated in spring and autumn with two distinct peaks, around April and October. Twinning was uncommon.During controlled experiment ,255 copulation events were recorded in 13 days during the controlled trial .Majority (50%) of copulation happened in the morning followed by those in the evening (36%), noon (14%) and afternoon (<1%) and their frequency was conversely proportional to the lower ambient temperature recorded during that part of the day. Only three out of 25 mated ewes could successfully develop the foetus and deliver. Ewes lost 16% bodyweightinparturition.It is suggested that Kari sheep tend to exhibit seasonal breeding,whereas lambing is spreaded throughout the year. Copulative activi ty almost cease whenever temperature raises up to 25 0 C. Mating frequency, during different parts of the day, negatively correlated with the minimum ambient temperature. Ewes lost 16% of their body weight as a result of parturition.