author(s)
Ruhi Meena

abstract
The aim of present study was to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters for average daily gain traits of Sonadi sheep. Records of lambs were collected over a period of four years from Sonadi unit maintained at CVAS Navania (Rajasthan) under Mega Sheep Seed Project. Traits included for the study were ADG-1 from birth to weaning, ADG-2 from weaning to 6 month of age and ADG-3 from 6month to 12 month of age. Low estimates of heritability were observed for all average Daily Gain traits. However, estimates of genetic parameter with high sampling error do not agree with empirical results. The direct maternal genetic correlation (r_am) was negative for all average daily gain traits. A negative estimate of σ_am resulted in increase in direct and maternal heritability pointing towards cross substitution effect in the partitioning of total variation. The estimates of Phenotypic correlation was observed as 0.13 ± 0.09, 0.13 ± 0.09 and -0.16 ± 0.08 between ADG1-ADG2, ADG1-ADG3 and ADG2-ADG3, respectively. All genetic and phenotypic correlation between daily gain traits showed weak association-ship.