Performance of Mecheri Breed of Sheep in its Home Tract

A study was conducted in Mecheri breed of sheep to ascertain habitat, distribution, morphological characters, growth and reproduction performances in its breeding tract. The morphological characters, production and reproduction performances were studied in 18 villages selected randomly in Mettur and Omalur taluks of Salem district. Mecheri sheep were distributed in Mecheri, Kolathoor, Nangavalli, Omalur, Kadayampatti and Taramagalam Panchayat Unions of Salem district, Bhavani taluk of Erode district and Namakkal district. Mecheri sheep were medium sized animals and predominantly light brown or tan colour. In the Mecheri breeding tract 62 per cent of the animals had light brown or tan colour, 18 per cent had light brown with white spots on head, 12 percent had light brown with sides of the body white, 7 per cent had light brown with white spots on different parts of the body and 1 per cent complete white colour on the hair coat. Head was well carried with slight roman nose. Both the sexes were polled. However, one per cent of the male animals having rudimentary horns were also observed.