Growth and Reproduction Performance of Sheep Breeds under Different Production Systems in Ethiopia: A Review

In Ethiopia, sheep breeds are the major economically important livestock and play a significant role in poor farmers. Several research works have been conducted to evaluate and improve the performance of sheep in Ethiopia. However, compiled information concerning the growth performance and reproduction potential under different production systems is not adequate. Therefore, the objective of this review paper was to review and document the potential of sheep growth and reproduction performances under different production systems in Ethiopia and to highlight future research priorities. The research results indicated that under on-farm and on-station sheep production systems; 24 to 126 g/day average daily gain, 7 to 18 kg hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage of 34 to 52% based on slaughter body weight have been reported for Ethiopian sheep breeds fed the various type of basal and supplement diets. Under different sheep production systems, the litter size result (1.01 to 1.7 lambs) showed that there is a high capability of local sheep to give multiple births. In conclusion, there is high variability within a breed and among local sheep breeds in growth performance, dressing percentage, and reproduction performances. This indicates the presence of a huge opportunity to improve sheep breed growth and reproduction performance through improving sheep production systems and overall management.