MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF KUTTA - THE NATIVE SHEEP BREED FROM NORTHERN PAKISTAN

This study investigated the morphological features of a local sheep breed harbouring at Swat, locally called “Kutta or Arerhai or Watani”. Data were collected on 207 animals (174 ewes and 33 rams) of different ages in 59 different flocks at the native tract. Traits studies included: Head and neck traits, back and tail traits, teats and testes, height, length and depth traits, coat covert and colouring. Kutta was characteristically black coat colour; however some white spots on face and limbs were uncommon. Kutta was a small sized breed, possessed a small sized, thin short tail sheep with an average weight of 23.2±0.34 kg (males: 26.0±0.56 kg; females: 22.9±0.41 kg) and slightly convex nose. Males were horned and females were polled. Birth weight averaged 1.3±5.32kg and ranged between 1.0±0.00 and 1.4± 0.09 kg. Average body length was 23.9±0.34 cm. Sex and age were important contributors to differences in most traits; however, location differences also affected few of the traits. Location differences existed for weight traits and animals at Kabal, Biha and Sakhra were slightly bigger and heavier as compared to Kalam, Malamjaba, Marghuzar and Shawar Valleys. Sex and age contributed significantly to weight differences. Animals had medium size head, with slightly bulging forehead, tapering face and shining eyes. Ewes were characteristically polled; however, rams carried horns, 24.9±0.93 cm long, affected by sex, age and their interaction significantly. In mature males, horns run backward, and grow outward some how spirally. Adult population had fully developed, floppy (semi pendulous) laterally protruded, and free of any pricks, small sized ears with an average length of 10.5±0.22 cm and blade-width of 5.3±0.08cm, and was not affected by any factor. Lambs in Biha had higher respective body weight while lambs in Marghuzar and Kabal were inferior to the remaining valleys.