P.V. NARSIMHA RAO TELANGANA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY
RAJENDRANAGAR,HYDERABAD
Breeding Management
Breeding management in sheep refers to the systematic planning and control of reproduction to achieve higher fertility, improved lambing percentage, genetic improvement, and economic profitability. Efficient breeding management enhances productivity in terms of meat, wool, and milk depending on the production system.

Puberty and Sexual Maturity
  • Age at Puberty: 6-8 months (varies with breed, nutrition, and management)
  • Body Weight at Puberty: 60-70% of adult body weight
  • Sexual Maturity: 12-18 months (ideal breeding age)

Oestrous Cycle in Ewe
  • Cycle Length: 16-17 days
  • Duration of Oestrus (Heat): 24-36 hours
  • Ovulation: Occurs towards the end of oestrus

Signs of Oestrus:
  • Restlessness
  • Tail wagging
  • Swollen vulva
  • Clear mucous discharge
  • Standing to be mounted

Seasonality of Breeding
Sheep are generally seasonal polyoestrous animals.
  • Breeding Season: Usually autumn (short-day breeders)
  • Controlled by photoperiod (day length)
  • In tropical regions, breeding may occur year-round
Hormonal control involves melatonin secretion from the pineal gland.

Mating Systems in Sheep
  1. Natural Mating
    • Most common method
    • Ram to ewe ratio: 1:30-40 (adult ram)
    • Hand mating improves conception control
  2. Artificial Insemination (AI)
    • Enables genetic improvement
    • Requires estrus detection
    • Frozen semen use is limited due to lower fertility
  3. Pen Mating
    • Ram kept with selected group of ewes

Flushing
Benefits:
  • Increases ovulation rate
  • Improves conception rate
  • Increases twinning percentage

Pregnancy Diagnosis
  • Non-return to estrus
  • Abdominal palpation (late pregnancy)
  • Ultrasonography (30-45 days)
  • Hormone assay (progesterone)

Gestation Period
  • Average: 147-150 days
  • Nutritional requirement increases in late pregnancy
  • Avoid stress to prevent abortion

Lambing Management
Signs of Parturition:
  • Udder enlargement
  • Relaxation of pelvic ligaments
  • Restlessness
  • Mucous discharge
Assistance:
  • Provide clean lambing pens
  • Assist only if dystocia occurs
  • Ensure colostrum intake within 30 minutes

Post-Lambing Care
  • Check placenta expulsion (within 6 hours)
  • Monitor ewe for metritis or mastitis
  • Record birth weight and sex
  • Navel cord disinfection with iodine

Rebreeding Interval
  • Postpartum anoestrus: 2-3 months
  • Target lambing interval: 8-12 months

Ram Management During Breeding Season
  • Shearing before breeding
  • Deworming and vaccination
  • Hoof trimming
  • Adequate nutrition