Qualitative Assessment of Batur Sheeps Kept by Smallholder Farmers in Banjarnegara, Indonesia

Batur sheep is one of Indonesian’s local sheep species with the original geographical distribution in the Batur District and surrounding areas. This study was conducted to determine the suitability of the Batur sheep that were kept by smallholder farmers. The study was conducted in Batur Village, Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia in February 2020 by identifying the qualitative traits of Batur sheeps (64 males and 129 females) compared to other sheep breeds. Qualitative data were then transformed into dummy data and given scores in each category. Data were analyzed descriptively using Chi-square analysis and Independent Sample T-Test. The Chi-square analysis findings determined (P<0.05) the qualitative characteristics, which included the face profile, the face wool coat density, and the suitability score of the male and female of the Batur sheep breed. The total of 98.6% male and 74.4% female sheep had suitable qualitative characteristics to the Batur sheep breed with suitability scores of 91.72 and 81.90, respectively. In conclusion, the male and female Batur sheep on Batur Village, Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia, was still suitable to Batur sheep breed based on the assessment of the body’s phenotypic assessment. Keywords: Body characteristics, Exterior traits, Local sheep, Phenotypic assessment, Suitability value