Consumer's preferences for sheep attributes for Eid al-Adha celebration in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Sheep play an important role for Indonesian people, especially during Eid al-Adha celebration. There are several criteria in the selection of sheep as sacrificial animals. This study was aimed to observe consumer's preferences for sheep attributes for Eid al-Adha celebration based on information gathered from roadside sheep traders. This study was conducted by using an in-depth interview and preferences ranking to 36 roadside sheep traders in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data were analysed descriptively. The results showed that the preferences for sheep criteria were body characteristics, body weight, body posture, age breed and other desirable criteria such as symmetrical testes, medium tail, intact earlobe and healthy hooves. Body characteristics favoured by consumers were horns, large body size, black ring eye pattern, teeth incisions, dense and nice hair, and white colour pattern of the body, respectively. It is concluded that the preferences for sheep attribute most demanded by consumers for Eid al-Adha celebration in Yogyakarta are body characteristics, wherein horned sheep are frequently requested criteria. Sheep price for Eid al-Adha is determined by religious and cultural criteria.