Authors : H.H. Musa , F.M. El amin , A.H. Suleiman and G.H. Chen
Abstract: The study was conducted at University of Nyala Farm. 75 females and 10 males were selected with typical characteristics of the breed to study their reproduction and production traits. Flock statistics for ewes lambing in the winter and wet-summer seasons were recorded and then some reproductive traits were estimated such as conception rate, barrenness rate, fertility, litter size, abortion, lambing rate, twining rate and male ratio. The mean gestation length was 150.44?2.64 days ranging between145-156 days. The effect of ewe age on gestation length was non significant (p>0.05). Male and single born lambs had longer gestation period than female and twinborn lambs. Similarly, overall birth weight of lambs was found to be 2.90?0.50 kg, it was 3.18?0.49 kg for males and 2.70?0.41 kg for females. They were weaned at approximately 3 month of age with an average of 11.55?2.19 kg for males and 9.97?2.12 kg for females, single born lambs were heavier than twin born lambs for both sexes. The average pre-weaning growth rate was 90.00 gram per day, males and single born lambs were grew faster than females and twins born lambs. Similarly, growth rate was determined for the periods of 3 to 6, 6 to 9 and 9 to12 months of age, they observed that single and male lambs exceeded twins and females lambs in growth rate.
H.H. Musa , F.M. El amin , A.H. Suleiman and G.H. Chen , 2005. Reproduction and Production Performance of West African Sheep in Sudan. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 750-754.