Sheep production in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Tharaka Nithi County is constrained by limited feed resources, disease prevalence, and low genetic merit of local breeds. This study aimed to evaluate genetic improvement strategies for sheep by comparing performance of indigenous Red Maasai, Dorper and their crossbreds under ASAL conditions. The study was conducted in Tharaka South sub-county which fall within the lower midland agro-ecological zones characterized by high temperatures and prolonged droughts. A six-month field experiment involving 90 sheep (30 per genotype) was included in the study.
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