Vol. 10, Issue 5, Part E (2025)

Author(s): Ajitkumar R Meshram, Babasaheb M Thombre, Anant T Shinde and Ravi R Rath

Abstract: This research examined the effect of non-genetic factors on the production traits of Deccani sheep, utilizing data from the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Sheep and Goat Development Project located in Mukhed, Nanded district, Maharashtra. Specifically, the study analyzed seven years (2013-2023) of production and reproduction records from 1,865 Deccani sheep, categorized into three age groups: 7-12 months, 13-36 months, and above 36 months. Body measurements body length, chest girth, height at wither, and height at hip were subjected to least squares analysis. The resulting overall least squares means, presented with their standard errors, are as follows (in centimeters) across five age groups. For 0-3 months, body length was 42.13±0.11, chest girth was 51.20±0.85, height at wither was 43.40±1.30, and height at hip was 43.98±0.12. For 4-6 months, body length was 53.23±0.28, chest girth was 60.20±0.23, height at wither was 56.40±0.30, and height at hip was 56.76±0.42. For 7-12 months, body length was 58.90±0.40, chest girth was 67.60±0.35, height at wither was 60.18±0.21, and height at hip was 60.52±0.26. For 13-36 months, body length was 60.10±0.46, chest girth was 69.52±0.82, height at wither was 63.20±0.38, and height at hip was 63.72±0.59. Finally, for above 36 months, body length was 62.58±0.76, chest girth was 72.19±0.80, height at wither was 65.12±0.60, and height at hip was 65.63±0.15.