Magra sheep prevails in Bikaner district of Rajasthan which is located in thar desert of Rajasthan. These lambs are medium to large in size. Face is white with brown circular patches around the eyes, which is a characteristic of this breed and hence also named as Rata Chakria/Bikaner chokla. Age at first breeding in males is 18-24 months. In ewes, age at first lambing is 18-24 months. Based on the data, it can be observed that the average body weight varies at different stages of development. For males, the average body weight at birth is 2.2 kg, which increases to 15.9 kg at 3 months, 21.5 kg at 6 months, and 29.1 kg at 12 months. On the other hand, females have an average body weight of 2.4 kg at birth, which then decreases to 14.7 kg at 3 months, 19.4 kg at 6 months, and 25.6 kg at 12 months. The breed is known for lustrous and carpet quality wool production. Animals undergo shearing three times a year, specifically in March, July, and November. Average greasy wool production is 1.5 to 2.5 kg/annum in three clips. Sheep farming is an important source of income for the marginalized section of rural population that owns majority of the small ruminants. The physical parameters of Magra lamb, including its height, length, and girth, play a vital role in understanding and evaluating the breed's characteristics. These measurements provide valuable insights into the lamb's overall size, body composition, and potential for growth, making them essential considerations for farmers, researchers, and enthusiasts alike. By analyzing the height of a Magra lamb, farmers can determine its ability to graze effectively and reach forage at different heights. The length measurement helps researchers understand the lamb's body proportions and how well it can move and navigate its environment. Additionally, girth measurements offer valuable information on the lamb's muscle development and overall health, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about breeding and nutrition. Overall, these physical parameters serve as important indicators of the Magra lamb's quality and potential in various agricultural and research settings.

The lambs were divided into four experimental groups of seven lambs each in a semi-intensive system. The distribution was done randomly, following a randomised block design (RBD), ensuring that the initial body weights were similar across all groups. Herbal feed supplement Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder with seed and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder were supplemented at a rate of 1.5g/kg body weight with concentrate as an oral/feed supplement in the T1 and T2 groups, respectively, with the exception of the control and T3 groups in the semi-intensive management system. Group T3 received a 0.75g/kg body weight supplement of Amla (Emblica officinalis) fruit powder and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) stem powder as an oral/feed supplement. Body measurement of each lamb was recorded at monthly interval using measuring tape on cm scale. Following body measurements were taken when lambs were standing squarely on hard plain ground. Body length (cm) was measured by measuring the distance from the point of the shoulder to the point of the pin bone. Body height (cm) was measured from ground level to the highest point of withers. Heart girth (cm) was measured by taking smallest circumference immediately behind the shoulder, when animals were standing squarely. Abdominal girth (cm) was measured by taking circumference immediately before the hind legs, when animals were standing squarely.

A. Heart girth

The mean values of Heart girth of lambs under various treatment groups were recorded at fortnightly intervals of experiment and have been presented in Table 1 and the statistical analysis of the data for the effect of treatment i.e. supplementation of different feed herbal additives with diet has been presented in Table 1. Due to the effect of treatment, the mean values of heart girth of lambs were increased in thirteen weeks from 64.39 cm to 71 cm in control, from 64.43 cm to 71.85 cm in T1, from 64.75 cm to 72.81 cm in T2 and from 64.36 cm to 72.18 cm in T3, group in the semi-intensive system. Statistical analysis of variance of data revealed highly significant effect (P<0.01) on average heart girth at III, IV and VI fortnights of experiment, while significant (P<0.05) effect was observed at III, IV, V and VI fortnight of experimental trial and remained non-significant for rest of the period in the semi-intensive system. At III, IV, V and VI fortnights highest increase in heart girth was observed in T2, which was significantly higher than rest of the treatment groups, while lowest average heart girth was observed in control group. Though, the average chest girth of the lambs of control, T1 and T3 treatment groups at the III, IV, V and VI fortnights of experiment was comparable with each other.

Table 1: Heart/Chest girth (cm) of lambs at fortnight intervals in different treatment groups in semi-intensive system.

The chest girth ranged from 71 cm to 72.18 cm in the semi-intensive system. The chest girth observed in Magra lambs was smaller than Bonpala sheep (82.44±1.87) reported by Vij et al. (1997), Mehrabani sheep (91.28±0.55 cm) by Shirzeyli et al. (2013) and higher than Pugal sheep (71.83±0.20) by Gopal (2007), Malpura sheep (70.11±0.21) by Kumar et al. (2008) and Coimbatore sheep (69.8 ±0.4 cm) by Devendran et al. (2009).

B. Abdominal Girth

The mean values of abdominal girth of lambs of various treatment groups were recorded at fortnightly intervals of experiment and have been presented in Table 2 and the statistical analysis of data for effect of treatment i.e. supplementation of different feed herbal additives with diet has been presented in Table 2. Due to effect of treatment, the mean values of abdominal girth of lambs were increased in thirteen weeks from 71.26 cm to 79.09 cm in control, from 71.47 cm to 79.31 cm in T1, from 71.43 cm to 80.15 cm in T2 and from 70.99 cm to 79.71 cm in T3, group in the semi-intensive system. Statistical analysis of variance of data revealed highly significant effect (P<0.01) on average abdominal girth at VI fortnight of experiment, while significant (P<0.05) effect was observed at II and VI fortnight of experimental trial and remained non-significant for rest of the period in the semi-intensive system. At II fortnight highest abdominal girth was observed in T2, which was though comparable with T1 and T3 in statistical terms. At VI fortnight highest abdominal girth was observed in T2, which was significantly higher (P<0.01) than rest of the treatment groups, though the abdominal girth of control, T1 and T3 groups were comparable with each other in statistical terms.

Table 2: Abdominal girth (cm) of lambs at fortnight intervals in different treatment groups in semi-intensive system.

The abdominal girth ranged from 79.09 cm to 80.15 cm in the semi-intensive system. The abdominal girth observed in Magra lamb was smaller than Malpura sheep (92.59±0.42 cm) reported by Arora et al. (2014), Chokla sheep (81 cm) by Kushwaha et al. (1999); Bonpala sheep (90.33±1.45 cm) by Vij et al. (1997).

C. Body Length (cm)

The mean values of body length of lambs of various treatment groups were recorded at fortnightly intervals of experiment and have been presented in Table 3 and the statistical analysis of data for effect of treatment i.e. supplementation of different feed herbal additives with diet has been presented in Table 3. Due to effect of treatment, the mean values of body length of lambs were increased in thirteen weeks from 54.29 cm to 68.35 cm in control, from 54.60 cm to 69.18 cm in T1, from 54.82 cm to 70.84 cm in T2 and from 55.68 cm to 69.74 cm in T3, group in the semi-intensive system. Statistical analysis of variance of data revealed highly significant effect (P<0.01) on average body length at VI fortnight of experiment, while non-significant for rest of the experimental period in the semi-intensive system. At VI fortnight highest body length was observed in T2, which was significantly higher (P<0.01) than rest of the treatment groups, though the body length lambs of T1, T3 and control groups were comparable with each other in statistical terms. Lowest average body length was observed in control treatment group.

Table 3: Body length (cm) of lambs at fortnight intervals in different treatment groups in semi-intensive system.

The body length ranged from 79.09 cm to 80.15 cm in the semi-intensive system. The body length observed in Magra lamb was longer than Coimbatore sheep (62.4±0.4 cm) reported by Devendran et al. (2009), Harnali sheep (61.42±0.69 cm) reported by Pan and Sahoo (2008).

D. Body Height (cm)

The mean values of body height of lambs of various treatment groups were recorded at fortnightly intervals of experiment and have been presented in Table 4 and the statistical analysis of data for effect of treatment i.e. supplementation of different feed herbal additives with diet has been presented in Table 4.

Due to effect of treatment, the mean values of body height of lambs increased in thirteen weeks from 57.57 cm to 69.65 cm in control, from 57.71 cm to 69.97 cm in T1, from 57.88 cm to 70.21 cm in T2 and from 57.95 cm to 69.98 cm in T3, group in the semi-intensive system.

Statistical analysis of variance of data revealed highly significant effect (P<0.01) on V and average body length at VI fortnight of experiment, while non-significant for rest of the experimental period and a significant effect (P<0.05) on I, II, IV, V and average body height at VI fortnight of experiment, while non-significant for rest of the experimental period in the semi-intensive system.

At V and VI fortnight highest body height was observed in T2, which was significantly higher (P<0.01) than rest of the treatment groups, though the body height of the lambs of control, T1 and T3 groups were comparable with each other in statistical terms. Lowest average body height was observed in control treatment group at both the fortnights.

The body height ranged from 69.65 cm to 70.21 cm in the semi-intensive system. It was found that Magra lamb was taller than Pugal sheep (61.76±0.17cm) reported by Gopal (2007), Malpura breed (64.04±0.22 cm) by Kumar et al. (2008) and Garole sheep (49.9 ± 0.5cm) by Pan and Sahoo (2008) and Malpura sheep (76.3 ± 0.33 cm) by Arora et al. (2014), Barki sheep (74.9±0.4 cm) as reported by Gad (2014) were taller than Magra lambs.

Table 4: Body height (cm) of lambs at fortnight intervals in different treatment groups in semi-intensive system.

Based on the findings, it can be inferred that the incorporation of the herbal feed additives Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) into the diets of Magra lambs under semi-intensive management significantly impacted the morphometric parameters of the lambs.

The morphometric characteristics of Magra lambs were positively impacted by the addition of Amla and Giloy to their diets. Based on these findings, it is recommended to further explore the potential benefits of incorporating Amla and Giloy in the diets of other livestock species. Additionally, conducting long-term studies to evaluate the impact on morphometric characteristics of Magra lambs could provide valuable insights into the future applications of these ingredients in animal nutrition.

Abhishek Joshi, Nirmala Saini, Vishal Yadav, Rajpal Singh Udawat, Rajesh Mohta and S.C. Goswami (2024). Investigating the Effect of Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) Herbal Additives on the Morphometric Parameters of Magra Lambs in the Semi-intensive Management System in the Arid Zone of Western Rajasthan. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(1): 18-21.