Abstract:
: The aim of this study was to assess the breeding practices and reproductive performance of sheep
and goats in three districts of Ilu Aba Bora Zone, Ethiopia. A total of 270 (90 from each district) households
were randomly selected for the study and the heads of the households were interviewed using pre-tested,
structured questionnaire. Findings of the study indicated that 26% of respondents had breeding rams and
bucks, while 74% of them share breeding rams and bucks with their neighbors. Breeding was predominantly
uncontrolled. Kidding/lambing occurred all the year round with 37.8 and 38.1% of lambs and kids were dropped
in wet season. Coat color, body conformation and pedigree performance were considered as the most important
criteria in selecting breeding rams and bucks showing significant (P<0.05) difference between districts. Age at
puberty was 5-8 months in sheep and 5-6 months in goats. The average age at first parturition was 10-11 months
in 43 and 52%of sheep and goats, respectively. Parturition interval was 9-10 months in 62 and 61.9% of sheep
and goats, respectively. About 59, 38 and 1.5% respondents reported that ewes give single, twine and triple
births, respectively, while 58, 40 and 1.1% of respondents revealed that does give single, twine and triple births,
respectively. The study observed that reproductive performance of sheep and goats was generally found to
be low. Thus, small ruminant productivity would be improved if adequate attention is paid to alleviate the
technical constraints, increase adoption of improved technologies and appropriate delivery of extension
