Impact of Improved Breeding and Healthcare Practices on Production Performance of Malpura Sheep in Field Flocks

A study was aimed to assess the impact of breeding and healthcare practices on the production performance of Malpura sheep in field flocks under the Network Project on Sheep Improvement in Malpura tehsil (Tonk), Rajasthan. Registered farmers (n=67) in the project were provided 277 genetically improved Malpura breeding rams and healthcare support from 2014 to 2024. Growth data were collected on 13756 Malpura lambs belonging to registered farmers of 24 villages. Baseline data on 256 Malpura lambs born in five villages in 2013 were collected. The average body weights of lambs at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months during the baseline year (2013) and project period (2014 to 2024) were 3.08±0.03 and 3.30±0.01, 14.40±0.14 and 17.18±0.02, 19.84±0.24 and 26.00±0.05, 24.58±0.31 and 29.72±0.07 and 28.08±0.34 and 33.67±0.17 kg, respectively. Overall animal mortality was higher in the baseline year (9.77%) than during the project period (4.20%). Pucca houses among farmers were 21.05% before the project, which increased to 47.76% during the project period. The income per sheep was also increased from Rs. 2336/- in the baseline year to Rs. 3663/- during the project period. The study indicated that adoption of breeding and healthcare practices in field flocks of Malpura sheep improved body weight and reduced mortality, thereby improving farmers’ income.