Three distinct strains have been described (25):
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i) non-migratory, red-faced animals with small bodies, yielding relatively finer fleeces. These are typical Patanwadis and are located in northeastern Saurashtra;
ii) the migratory type, with larger body and long legs, typical Roman nose and long tubular ears. This variety, which has coarser fleeces, is observed in western and northeastern Gujarat;
iii) the meat type, with big body, low stature and coarse fleeces, observed in southeastern areas around Palitana.
Distribution:
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Coastal plain region: Saurashtra and Kutch districts, and sandy loamy areas of Patan, Kadi, Kalol, Sidhapur and Chanssama taluks of Mehsana district of Gujarat.
Numbers:
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The total sheep population in the Patanwadi distribution area, according to the 1972 census, was 0.895 m, and according to the 1977 census 0.827 m; there was thus a marginal decline. Of the total population in 1977, 0.073 m were adult males and 0.599 m adult females. The National Commission on Agriculture has recommended crossbreeding Patanwadi with exotic fine-wool breeds for improving apparel-wool production. Patanwadi is a superior carpet-wool breed and requires efforts for conservation.
Climate:
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minimum - 19.8
maximum - 33.0
morning - 68.5
evening - 46.5
Annual rainfall (cm) - 58.2
Breed characteristics:
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i) Size
Conformation:
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Medium to large animals, with relatively long legs. Typical Roman nose. Face brown (91.7%) and spotted tan (7.1%). Ears medium to large, tubular, with a hairy tuft. Tail thin and short; tail length: 14.77 ± 0.10 cm (380). Both sexes are polled. White fleece is of medium carpet quality, not very dense.
Flock structure:
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Two thirds of the flocks are stationary, the remainder migratory. Average stationary flock size: 76 (range: 31–119); average migratory flock size: 96 (range 47–173). Average flock contains 4% adult males, 70% adult ewes and 26% young.
Reproduction:
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Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes bred (25): 78.47 (1 301/1 658); tupping percentage (25): 77.01 (1 658/2 152). Lambing percentage on the basis of ewes available (25): 60.42 (2 152). Litter size: generally single.
Mortality (6):
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0 to 3 months: 2% (100); adults: 2.2% (500).
Breeding:
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Mostly pure breeding, except in limited areas where the State Department of Animal Husbandry and the Gujarat Sheep and Wool Development Federation provide facilities for cross-breeding with exotic fine-wool breeds, particularly Soviet Merino. Males, selected on the basis of body size, are generally bred in the farmers` flocks.
Performance:
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• Milk. Ewes are milked for about 3 months.
• Meat: body weight (kg)
• Wool production and quality
• Annual greasy fleece weight in adult rams: 1.17 ± 0.02 kg (177); in adult ewes: 1.03 ± 0.01 kg (1 090); overall (25, 42): 1.05 ± 0.008 kg (1 268).
