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Reproductive performance of the West African Dwarf and the Nungua Black Head sheep of Ghana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

L. O. Ngere  and
G. Aboagye
L. O. Ngere
Affiliation:
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
G. Aboagye
Affiliation:
University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Abstract

A study was made of some aspects of reproduction in the Nungua Black Head and the Ghanian variety of the West African Dwarf sheep. The gestation period of the two breeds was similar: 150 and 148 days respectively. Ewes mated in August and September tended to have slightly longer gestation periods than those mated in March. The mean birth weights were 2·2 kg in the Nungua Black Head and 13 kg in the West African Dwarf. Type of birth affected the weight of lambs at birth. The Nungua Black Head had no triplets, 0·132 twins and 0·868 singles. The West African Dwarf was more prolific: 0·402 singles, 0·557 twins and 0·041 triplets. The weight advantage of the Nungua Black Head lambs at birth was maintained to weaning and they also had better survival rates. The adjusted 12-week weaning weights averaged 9·8 and 5·8 kg respectively for the Nungua Black Head and West African Dwarf. What the West African Dwarf lost in individual weight it appeared to make up in numbers so that, when the breeds were compared in terms of kg of lamb weaned per ewe mated, there was no significant difference between them.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , December 1981 , pp. 249 - 252
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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References

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