Rearing environment and husbandry practices of Coimbatore sheep.

Rearing environment and husbandry practices of Coimbatore sheep in the field were studied through a detailed survey. The climate of the breeding and migratory tracts was hot, semi-arid and tropical in nature with matching vegetation and cultivated crops. Housing was not provided for the migratory flocks and they were penned in the open harvested fields during nights with the help of nylon nets. New-born lambs were housed in the lamb hut up to 15 days and were then allowed for grazing along with their dams. Coimbatore sheep were raised solely on grazing irrespective of the physiological status. Pure breeding was generally practised in most of the flocks. However, 19.7% of the flocks introduced meat-type hair breeds, viz. Ramnad-type (Pattanam) and Mecheri rams for crossing to improve body weight. Shearing of fleece was done annually during May–June and the wool was sorted and transported to the villages of the flock owners for weaving kamblis or sold as raw wool. The sheep were vaccinated against anthrax, peste des petits ruminants, and sheep pox. Deworming with anthelmintics was done regularly. The study revealed that Coimbatore sheep were reared under traditional method of rearing with less scientific management practices.