Evaluation of flock structure and performances of Bonga sheep under extensive management conditions in Kaffa Zone, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted in Adiyo and Telo districts of Kaffa Zone, South Western Peoples Regional State (SWEPRS) of Ethiopia with the aim of evaluating the performance of Bonga sheep under farmer’s management conditions. To this end, the farmers who have ewes were registered and 200 respondents were randomly selected. The study revealed that both participant and non-participant farmers have been rearing sheep for the purpose of income generation, followed by saving, social value, meat and wealth in decreasing order. The current study also revealed that disease and parasites are the major constraints for both groups, followed by predator and shortage of fodder. Lambing interval (LI) was 9.4 ± 0.18 months, days open (DO) were 20.2 ± 0.13 days and liter size (LS) was 1.4 ± 0.04, and lambing interval (LI) was shorter (8.5 ± 0.22 months) in Community based breeding program (CBBP) participants than in non-participants (10.5 ± 0.28 months). The birth, weaning and six month weight were 3.8 ± 0.06, 16.0 ± 0.10 and 27.8 ± 0.33 kg. The preweaning average daily weight gain and postweaning average daily weight gain were 136.0 and 133.0 ± 0.02 g/day respectively. Both participants and non-participants’ reproductive and growth performances have shown a remarkable progression. In conclusion, engagement of farmer in CBBP improved lambing interval, birth weight, weaning weight, six month weight, pre-weaning weight average daily gain, and post weaning average daily gain of bonga sheep. Hence, CBBP strategy is likely to be important to attain the designed benefit from sheep production in the area.

Keywords:

• Bonga sheep
• ewe flushing
• reproductive performance
• community based breeding program (CBBP)
• estrus synchronization

REVIEWING EDITOR:

• Pedro González-Redondo, University of Seville, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Agriculture & Environmental Sciences; Nutrition; Biotechnology

Acknowledgements

Authors of this paper would like to acknowledge Kefa zone Agricultural office for providing, research facilities and providing all necessary information. The authors also greatly acknowledge International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for their financial support and providing all necessary information. Mizan Tepi University also greatly acknowledged for providing scholarship. No special funding was obtained for this study.

Author contributions

HA: contributed in designing study, collecting data, statistical analysis and manuscript writing. RB: contributed in designing study, coordinating and supervising the study, analyzing the data, manuscript writing and reviewing. WM: contributed in designing study, coordinating and supervising the study, analyzing the data, manuscript writing and reviewing. EB: Contributed in designing study and manuscript writing and review. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethical approval

Animal care and ethical issue were careful evaluated and the experiment was approved (1958ET-2/2021) by Mizan Tepi University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ethics Committee. Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Union guidelines (2010) concerning the treatment and use of animals in research and development purposes were employed. Additionally the experiment was approved by Animal Science department post graduate executive committee during starting time and ending of study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Public interests

Community Based Breeding Program (CBBP) is an initiative that focused in conservation, education, local economies, scientific advancements, and community empowerment. The public interest of such a program lies in following key aspects: (1) Conservation: The breeding program aims to conserve and protect Bonga sheep that are important to the country. (2) Education: These programs provide a platform for learning about the importance of conservation, biology, and the role of various breed in the ecosystem. (3) Economic benefits: Community-based breeding programs can stimulate the local economy and provide income and employment opportunities for community members. (4) Research and innovation: Knowledge gained through these initiatives can be shared with the scientific community, contributing to broader scientific knowledge and potentially leading to improvements in related fields like genetics, ecology, or conservation biology, and (5) Community engagement and empowerment: Participating in a breeding program can foster a sense of community pride and togetherness.

Data availability statement

Data used and analyzed for this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Habtamu Arega

Habtamu Arega is MSc student in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Mizan Tepi University. He received a bachelor degree from Mizan Tepi University. His research mainly focused on Animal breeding, and Animal Nutrition

Regasa Begna

Regasa Begna is an Assistant professor of Animal Nutrition, Lecturer and Researcher of Mizan Tepi University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Sciences. He published various papers in the area of Animal Nutrition, Animal Production and Animal Breeding.

Worku Masho

Worku Mashob is a Lecturer and researcher of Mizan Tepi University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Sciences. He published various papers in the area of Animal breeding and Animal Production.

Elias Bayou

Elias Bayou is an Assistant professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Lecturer and Researcher of Mizan Tepi University, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Animal Sciences. He published different papers in the area of Animal Breeding and Genetics, and Animal Production.