A Review on Differentiation of Sheep Populations in Ethiopia Based on Husbandry Practices, Breeding and Morphological Traits: The Primary Step for Conservation

¹Ministry of Labour and Skill, Agarfa College, Agarfa, Ethiopia

²Department of Animal Science, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Amanu Abate, Ministry of Labour and Skill, Agarfa College, Agarfa P.O.BOX-15/2011, Ethiopia, Phone: +88-01712563750, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: November 07, 2025

Published Date: November 25, 2025

Citation: Abate A, et al. (2025). A Review on Differentiation of Sheep Populations in Ethiopia Based on Husbandry Practices, Breeding and Morphological Traits: The Primary Step for Conservation. Mathews J Vet Sci. 9(8):93.

Copyrights: Abate A, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

Sheep production is an integral component of Ethiopia's agricultural economy, supporting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers by providing a critical source of income, meat, manure, and socio-cultural value. The sector is underpinned by a rich diversity of indigenous sheep populations, which exhibit significant phenotypic variation in traits such as tail type, body size, and coat color, reflecting adaptation to diverse agro-ecological zones. Traditional management practices prevail, with farmers selecting breeding stock based on observable traits like body conformation. However, the reproductive performance of these herds is often sub-optimal, characterized by late sexual maturity and low lambing rates, largely due to nutritional limitations. The prevailing feeding system relies extensively on natural grazing, which is subject to seasonal scarcity, with crop residues serving as the main supplementary feed. Housing is generally rudimentary, offering minimal protection from environmental stresses, while targeted fattening practices are employed to improve market readiness. Despite its importance, the sector faces significant constraints, including chronic feed shortages, high disease incidence, limited genetic improvement, and inefficient marketing channels. Addressing these challenges through integrated improvements in feed resource management, healthcare, breeding strategies, and housing infrastructure is essential for enhancing productivity and ensuring the sustainable development of the sheep sub-sector in Ethiopia.

Keywords: Husbandry Practices, Sheep Breeding, Conservation, Phenotypic Characterization.