Genetic and phenotypic correlation of reproductive and productive traits in exotic and their crosses with Gaddi sheep in Himachal Pradesh

In this investigation 501 lambs consisting of 285 Rambouillet, 17 Gaddi, 12 4 (75%) Rambouillet x (25%) Gaddi, and 55 (75%) Merino x (25%) Gaddi animal s were used. The genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated from si re component of variance and covariance. The traits considered were birth w eight, dam's weight at lambing, lambing intervals, age at first lambing and annual clip yields (1, 2 and 3). The genetic and phenotypic correlation of birth weight with dam's weight at lambing and annual clip yield (1, 2 and 3) were highly significant. The genetic and phenotypic correlations among r eproductive traits were nonsignificant, whereas genetic and phenotypic corr elation among productive traits were highly significant. A high heritabilit y was also estimated for birth weight, age at first lambing, dam's weight a t lambing and annual clip yield (1, 2 and 3). Heritability estimates of lam bing intervals were low to medium.