Comparative analysis of twinning and single lambing madras red sheep for selection strategy in breeding programs

Abstract

Twinning is a heritable and economically significant trait that enhances reproductive efficiency and profitability in sheep production. This study evaluates and compares the phenotypic characteristics and growth performance of twinning and single-lambing Madras Red sheep to identify selection criteria for breeding programs. Morphometric and reproductive traits were analyzed in 540 sheep, including 15 rams and 500 ewes with single lambing records, 17 twinning ewes, 8 twinning rams, and 17 pairs of twin lambs across eight flocks in Tamil Nadu. Twinning animals demonstrated superior morphometric traits such as body weight, heart girth, and reproductive organ dimensions. Twin lambs showed steady and uniform growth performance. These findings underscore the potential of phenotypic selection for enhancing prolificacy and productivity in Madras Red sheep in its breeding tract.