Reproductive performance and evaluation of pregnancy diagnosis techniques in Horro sheep under station management in western Ethiopia

Abstract

This study evaluated the reproductive performance of Horro sheep and compared pregnancy diagnosis techniques under station management conditions in western Ethiopia. A total of 142 ewes and 13 rams were monitored over two breeding seasons at Bako Agricultural Research Center. Reproductive traits assessed included conception, fertility, lambing rate, litter size, gestation length, lamb survival, and ram reproductive characteristics. Pregnancy diagnosis methods evaluated were traditional observation, seed germination, and ultrasonography. Conception, fertility, and lambing rates were 81%, 69%, and 91.5%, respectively, with a mean litter size of 1.32 lambs per ewe. 87% of ewes conceived after a single service, with an average of 1.17 ± 0.04, per conception. The average gestation time was 151.2 ± 6 days, lamb birth weight was 2.22 ± 0.20 kg, and weaning survival was 59.6%. Ultrasonography detected pregnancy better than observation, but seed germination performed worse. Early pregnancy has reduced ultrasonographic detection rates. The results show that Horro sheep have moderate reproductive performance and that ultrasonography is the best pregnancy test.