Effect of Location on some of Reproductive Efficiency and Performance Trails of Local Sheep Breeds in Babil Province

• Haider A.M.Al-Husseini1, Rwaida Adnan Aljebori2*, Rahman Hussein Hamza AlQasimi3, Shymaa Shakir Talib4

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This statistical study was conducted using a random sample of sheep breeders from different regions of Babil Province: Hillah, Abu Gharaq, Al-Hashimiyah, Al-Hindiyah, Al-Shomali, Al-Mashroo, and Al-Musayab). The study dependent on data collected by agricultural statisticians working in the agricultural directorates of these regions. The aim were to investigate the distribution of sheep breeders and flock characteristics and to evaluate the effect of location on some reproductive performance indicators (abortion rate and twinning rate) in Local Iraqi sheep breeds (Awassi, Arabi, Hamdani, and Karadi) across different locations in Babil Province. The results revealed highly significant differences among the regions for all investigated traits (P ≤ 0.01). A total of 162 sheep breeders were surveyed, with the highest proportion recorded in Al-Musayab (22.84%), followed by Abu Ghraq (19.75%) and Al-Shomali (18.52%). The lowest proportion was observed in Al-Hindiyah (2.59%), indicating a distinct variation in sheep production activities throughout the province. The total sheep population was 36,985 animals. Al-Musayab accounted for the largest proportion (37.3%), followed by Abu Ghraq and Al-Shomali, each representing 20.3% of the total population. The average flock size per breeder varied from 59 head in Al-Mashroo to 373 head in Al-Musaya. The location also significantly influenced reproductive performance indicators and abortion rates of Local sheep in Babil Province. Fertility rate varied considerably among the regions, with the highest value recorded in Al-Mashroo (92.07%), followed by Al-Musayab (89.92%) and Al-Hashimiyah (85.45%). The lowest fertility rate was observed in Al-Shomali (38.61%). The overall fertility rate was 62.81%. The Awassi breed exhibited substantial variation in twinning rate among locations, with the highest value recorded in Abu Ghraq (8.4%), followed by Al-Hashimiyah (4.4%) and Al-Hindiyah (3.8%). No twinning births were recorded in Al-Shomali or Hillah. The Arabi breed exhibited twinning only in Al-Hashimiyah (6.8%) and Al-Musayab (0.7%), whereas no twinning was recorded in the remaining locations. The Hamdani breed showed very low twinning rates, occurring only in Al-Mashroo (1.4%) and Al-Musayab (1.9%), with no twinning observed elsewhere. In contrast, the Karadi breed exhibited a remarkably high twinning rate in Al-Musayab (22.5%), while no twinning was recorded in any of the other studied locations.

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