Growth and reproductive performance of local sheep and goats in Kargil region (Ladakh)

The objective of the study was to evaluate effect of various feed ingredients usually fed to the animals, on body weight, body measurements on 0_3, 3_6, 6_12 and more than 12 months of age. Reproductive performance of sheep and goats were also determined under field condition in various blocks of Kargil. Chemical composition of different feed ingredients usually fed to the animals were analyzed. Body weight was non-significant between 3_6 and 6_12 months age group but significantly higher than 0_3 months, though, 12 months age group had the highest body weight than all other age groups in both the species. Body length was significantly higher in 3_6 and 6_12 months age group than 0_3 months, whereas the highest value recorded in 12 months age group. Chest girth in goats, varied significantly among various age group but in sheep 0_3 and 3_6 months age group had significantly lower than 6_12 and 12 months age group. Height at wither in 6_12 and 12 months age group had non-significantly different but significantly higher than other 2 age groups, whereas in sheep 3_6 months, and 6_12 months had significantly higher (P0.05) than 0_3 months age group and highest value obtained in 12 months age group. More than 15% crude protein (CP) observed in lucerne hay, iris, mulberry and red clover leaves. Grains had 6_10% CP, whereas the straws had the lowest CP content. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content higher in apple leaves (60.29%) followed by IRIS (53.62%) among the hay and tree leaves, whereas, the grains had higher soluble carbohydrate content. Total ash content varied from 6.87% in oats to 12.76% in Chenopodium sp. Weight and age at puberty, age at first conception, lambing/kidding percentage and oestrus cycle length was similar in both the species however, oestrous duration in goat was higher than sheep. It was concluded that the growth of sheep and goat is poor in comparison to other places due to harsh climatic condition as well and unavailability of quality feeds for long duration during the year. Though, reproductive performance was comparable to other breeds of sheep and goat of other regions in India.