Production practices, growth and reproductive performances of black-head somali sheep in pastoral and agro-pastoral systems of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract This study assessed flock composition and the reproductive and productive performance of black-head Somali sheep under pastoral and agro-pastoral management systems in South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 180 households selected through a multistage sampling technique in Hamer (pastoral) and Benna-Tsemay (agro-pastoral) districts. Data were collected on flock structure, management objectives, feeding and housing practices, and growth and reproductive traits. Sheep were primarily kept for meat production, income generation, and wealth storage. Pastoral households kept on average 5.51 ewes, 4.17 rams, and 4.26 castrates, compared with 3.58 ewes, 3.63 rams, and 3.71 castrates i n agro-pastoral households ( p < 0.05). Major feed resources consisted of natural pastures and crop residues. Reproductive traits did not differ significantly between the two systems ( p > 0.05), with an average age at first lambing of 16.4 months, lambing intervals of 6.4–7.1 months, and litter sizes of 1.26–1.38. Birth weight was significantly influenced by sex and birth type ( p < 0.05), while body weights at three, six, and twelve months varied with parity. Overall, sheep in both systems exhibited relatively low reproductive and productive performance. Findings suggest that improvements in feeding, housing, health care, and breeding practices could help enhance sheep productivity in the area.