Assessment of Reproductive Performance and Breeding Objective of Blackhead Somali Sheep in Korahey Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Ethiopia's Somali Region's Korahey Zone. This study set out to evaluate black-headed Somali sheep's reproductive performance, breeding habits, and preferred traits. 180 households in all will be identified, with 90 per district and 30 every peasant association (Kebele). At first lambing, the average age was 16.9±0.18 months. According to the survey results, the overall goals for raising sheep in each region were graded according to cultural function (0.05), income (0.52), meat (0.29), and saving (0.14). With index values of 0.34 and 0.33 in the districts of Kabrid Dehar and Sheygosh, respectively, natural pasture was ranked as the top feed source for sheep during the wet season. During the rainy season, rainwater was the primary water source for sheep in all districts, followed by river water. In contrast, during the dry season, harvested water was the main source, with pond water as the secondary option. The findings revealed that the major challenges faced by blackhead Somali sheep across all districts were the prolonged dry season, feed shortage, water scarcity, diseases, and predators, with overall index values of 0.31, 0.27, 0.18, 0.16, and 0.07, respectively. Black-headed Somali sheep were frequently reported to have poor reproductive performance. Poor management, illness, and inadequate nutrition could be the cause of this. Farmers use breeding and selection to enhance sheep's commercially significant features. Therefore, when creating a community-based program to improve the production of blackhead Somali sheep in the study region, it is important to take into account the features that blackhead Somali sheep owners demand in terms of selection, breeding, and production by sheep farmers.