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PART THREE
SMALL RUMINANT TYPES/SHEEP

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

THIN-TAILED SHEEP

SUDAN DESERT

Synonyms. Northern Sudanese; Desert Sudanese; Sudanese Desert; (Hamd�, Drasciani, Gasc [Italian]).

Origins. Probably descended from ancient Egyptian stock.

Sub-types and races. Many "tribal" types have become recognized in recent years including Shugor, Dubasi, Watish, Kababish and Baqqara. Other classifications include Gezira and possibly Barka and Wollega in Ethiopia. A "fused ecotype" of Sudan Desert x Southern Sudan has been recognized in a central belt of Sudan.

Distribution. Sudan, north of 10�N, extending eastwards into Eritrea and westwards into Chad.

Ecological zones. Arid and semi-arid, also riverain.

Management systems. Mainly pastoral but grading into agro-pastoral and urban and similar to those described for Sudan Desert goat (p.66). Flock sizes are large. Flock structure is related to meat and/or milk production: females 77.8 per cent (breeding 55.8 per cent); males 22.2 per cent (4.2 per cent > 15 months).

Physical characteristics. Usually large size up to 80 cm (or bigger according to some sources) but varying with tribal type (as do all characters). Weight: male 60 kg; female 50 kg.

Head strong, forehead broad and flat, profile convex and some-times very markedly so, especially in Dubasi. Eyes set high on sides of head.

Horns usually absent in sheep from eastern Sudan but males from the west are usually horned: length up to 60 cm and of classic "ram's horn" spiral type; about 5 per cent of females in west are also horned. Ears usually medium-long, 12-18 cm, and pendulous. Toggles in both sexes in about 10 per cent of animals.

Neck long but fairly heavy. Chest fairly well developed. Withers prominent but broad in most types. Back long, with distinct dip. Sacrum usually higher than withers. Croup fairly well developed. Legs long, sometimes very long, and lightly fleshed. Tail long, thin but with varying amounts of fat at base or farther down depending on tribal type: length from 60 per cent of withers height to greater than withers height when it trails on ground.

Colour variable depending, also, on tribal type. Coat fine to coarse, short to long.

Shugor. Shugor are moderately large sheep ranging in colour from light to dark brown (Figure 57). They have occasional patches of wool under the hair. Their distribution area is mainly along the White Nile and the regions to the west of it. Flocks of Shugor sheep are commonest in the western part of the Gezira, grazing on cotton and other agricultural by-products. Their migratory movements are longer than the Dubasi.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 57:Ram of shugor tribal type in a traditional flock in the Sudan Gezira (note 'kunan' and charm tied to testicles)

Dubasi. Dubasi are the prototype sheep of the Gezira area, especially the northern part, and are concentrated in the villages of the Dubaseen tribes (hence 'Dubasi') in El-Fawar, Umbusha, Selaim and Kab El - Gidad, but they are also found north of Khartoum, where they are known as the Butana. These sheep are similar to or greater in size than the Shugor but their coat, occasionally hairy, is usually particoloured white and black Figure 58. The distribution of the black patches on the skin varies among regions and breeders.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 58: Dubasi ewes on the Nile bank near Khartoum, Sudan Gezira (note plastic bag on treat to prevent suckling and compare Figure 32)

Watish. In comparison with the Shugor and the Dubasi, the Watish is somewhat smaller and stockier Figure 59. It is a hardy sheep and lives under relatively high rainfall conditions between latitudes 10�N and 11�N and mainly along the Blue Nile, south of Wad Medani into the Fung area. The principal tribes owning this sheep are nomadic and semi-nomadic, including the Kenana, the Rufaa El Hoy and the Beni Meharib.

Haemoglobin Type B in the Sudan Desert sheep should potentially lead to high productivity, particularly in reproductive performance.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 59: A Watish ram in the southern Gezira, Sudan

Products. Meat; milk; (skins).

Productivity

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: 433 days (Shugor 428 � 3.0 (s.e.), Dubasi 429 � 5.6, Watish 406 � 9.0) on station when allowed to run continuously with rams, much later (689 � 42.5 days) when conception weight of 35 kg imposed; probably about 13-15 months in Southern Darfur traditional system. Lambing interval: 426 � 20.0 (s.e.) days (n=452) on station; 275 � 58.6 (s.d.) days (n=46) in Southern Darfur traditional system. Litter size: 1.22 � 0.022 (s.e.) (n=1090) on station (Shugor larger than both Dubasi and Watish Table 34 1.14 in southern Darfur traditional system. Annual reproductive rate: 1.11 lambs per ewe on station; 1.50 in Southern Darfur. Oestrus cycle: 21 � 5 days; 17 days at El Huda; duration of heat 25 hours. Gestation period: 154 � 4 (147-166) days; Shugor 151.3 � 2.25 (s.d.) days (n-60), Dubasi 152.8 � 0.36 (s.d.) days (n=96).

GROWTH. Birth weight: males 4.1 � 0.63 (s.e.) kg (n=182), females 3.9 � 0.66 (s.e.) kg (n=165), Shugor and Dubasi heavier than Watish. Weight for age: 30 days-7.4, 90-14, 120-16.7, 150-18.4, 240-25.3, 365- 31.7, 730-35.6, 1095-38.9 kg on station, Watish always lighter than

Table 34 Components of productivity of Sudan Desert sheep at El Huda, Sudan

Component and unit n Overall

Sheep sub-type

Shugor Dubasi Watish s.e.
Litter size (n) 1090 1.22

1.30a

1.18b 1.17b 0.028
Parturition interval (d) 452 426 449a 425ab 403b 22.7
Lamb weight at 150 d (kg) 361 18.4

18.6a

17.3b

17.0b

0.54
Mortality at 150 d (per cent) 708 43.2 48.5a

46.3a

34.7b 3.60
Ewe post-partum weight (kg) 432 40.5

42.3a

42.2a

37.0b

0.64

Along rows, values without a common suffix letter differ (P < 0.05)

Shugor and Dubasi. Average daily gain: 0-30 days - 136, 30-120 - 110, 120-365 - 61 g on station. Post-partum weights: 40.5 � 0.51 (s.e.) kg (n=432) on station, first parity ewes 37.5 kg.

MILK. Lactation length: 188 days on station. Yield: 137 kg. Composition: total solids 12.4 per cent; fat 4.28 per cent.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 49.1 and 46.0 at 32.3 kg and 34.9 kg live weight on low- and high-fibre diets: 52.7 at empty body weight of 30 kg. Carcass composition: 72.2/28.8 per cent meat/bone at 30 kg empty body weight in fattened animals; butcher's carcass 15.8 kg, head 1.9, skin 2.7, pluck 0.9, tail 0.1, omentum, 0.5, feet 1.3, intestines 1.4, stomach 1.5; muscle/bone/fat present at 54/18/24 per cent in animals fed low fibre and 56/20/22 in high fibre diet animals at 15.9 kg and 16.1 kg carcasses.

Research. Animal Production Research Administration, Ministry of Animal Resources, P.O.Box 293, Khartoum, Sudan.

References. McLeroy, 1961; Khattab, 1968; Wilson & Clarke, 1975; Wilson, 1976a; El-Amin, 1983; El-Hag, El-Hag & Gaali, 1984; Sulieman & Eissawi, 1984; Sulieman & El-Tahir, 1984; El-Hag, Kurdi & Maghoub, 1985; Sulieman, Ali & El-Jack, 1985; El-Tayeb, Nour el-Din & Tibin, 1987; Sulieman & Wilson, 1989; 1990.

MACINA

Synonyms. Massina [not recommended].

Origins. Probably descended from the woolled thin-tailed sheep of north Africa and introduced to the present area of distribution by Moors and Moroccans during the conquest of Timbuctoo in the 15th and 16th centuries. Also considered, probably erroneously, to be descended from Karakul or from various crosses of Merino with Syrian or Barbary sheep in ancient times. Macina is the Fulani word for the Niger river inundation zone.

Sub-types and races. Goundoun (Doundoun, Koundoum).

Three other types of "wool" sheep are described from West Africa. The Hadina is a large black sheep, kept by the Toubou in the extreme east of Niger. The Dan� Za�la is a very small white sheep from the same area, kept by Arabs. The wool sheep of West Kanem is considered not to exceed 1000 head in total, being found to the north and west of Mao in Chad.

Distribution. Confined essentially to the flood plain of the river Niger in central Mali (� 50 000 km2) and downstream in a narrow band each side of the river as far as Niamey Figure 60. Macina in Mali, Goundoun in Niger particularly around Tillabery. Total population 600 000 plus 30 000 Goundoun.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 60 The distribution area of Macina sheep in Mali and Niger

Ecological zones. Does not thrive outside the humid area associated with the annual flood of the Niger river in the area of its distribution.

Management systems. Pastoral and agropastoral . Owned primarily by the Fulani of the Niger flood plain area. Transhumant management involves short treks outside the inundation zone during the period of maximum flood (Jul-Oct). A sophisticated system of flock stratification is used involving milking, breeding, slaughter and wool producing sub- units (Table 10). Flock sizes are generally large (69 per cent of flocks > 100 head). Flock structure, related to production of wool, includes a number of mature castrates: females 74.5 per cent (breeding 54.9 per cent); males 25.5 per cent (castrates 11.2 per cent).

Physical characteristics. Medium size 60-80 cm. Weight: male 40 kg; female 30 kg.

Forehead broad and straight, profile straight or slightly convex in males, no interorbital depression, supraorbital processes pronounced, narrow nose, upper jaw longer than lower Figure 61.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 61 A Macina flock in the Niger river inundation zone in Central Mali

Horns: well developed with deep grooves in males (65 per cent), classic spiral "ram's horn" in shape, 0.5 per cent have multiple horns (4.0 per cent reported to have multiple horns in early 20th century); 8 per cent females carry weak horns or scurs. Ears medium length (12 cm), wide, pendulous. Toggles (apparently absent in original stock) in 15 per cent of animals.

Neck short. Chest narrow and shallow. Prominent withers. Back straight. Croup tucked and thinly fleshed. Legs long and lightly fleshed. Tail thin, descends to below hocks.

Colour generally white, variously spotted with black and red particularly around eyes and ears. Coat of coarse wool mixed with hair, to forehead and knees and hocks but underside bare.

Goundoun is similar in most respects.

Products. Wool; milk; meat.

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: 500 � 108 (s.d.) days, range 371-766 (n=7). Lambing interval: said to lamb twice a year; observed data 251 � 73.4 days, range 170-485 (n=84); aseasonal, probably related to conditions in inundation zone. Multiple births: twin 3.1 per cent, triplet very rare. Litter size: 1.03. Annual reproductive rate: 1.5.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 2.7 � 0.62 kg (n=48). Height for age: 10 days-3.9, 30-5.9, 90-10.3, 150-14.4, 240-19.0, 365-24.4, 550-29.4, 730-32.7 kg. Mature weights: males attain 60 kg.

MILK. Lactation length:135 days (range 85-165). Yield: 50 kg Figure 62.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 62 Lactation curves of Macina sheep under simulated traditional management

WOOL. Yield: 2 clips per year total 685 � 42.8 g (males 836 � 52.5 g, females 534 � 65.0 g); females produce significantly more wool in wet season (1.92 g/d) than in dry (1.21 g/d); males similar (2.53 g/d, 2.20 g/d).

Fibre length: 4.6 cm (reported to be up to to 30 cm). Fibre diameter: 39 um with CV 41 per cent in lambs but 55 per cent in adults indicating fine and coarse components; about 10 crimps per 100 mm. Resistance 14 g. Very little grease. Used mainly for blankets and coarse cloaks.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 40. Meat has very little fat.

Research. None current. Formerly crossed (1905-1940) with Merino to improve wool production (quantity and quality) but products not accepted by traditional owners due to lack of hardiness and low breaking strain of wool. Some detailed field studies and rapid surveys.

References. Henry, 1918; Curasson, 1930; Doutressoulle, 1947; Ibrahim, 1975; Dumas, Lef�vre & Deslandes, 1977; Wilson, 1981; 1983a.

BLACK MAURE

Synonyms. Arab; Mauritania; Moor; Moorish [none of these are recommended alternatives]. Mouton maure � poil long.

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group. Possibly descended from the Rio de Oro sheep of northern Mauritania, which is in turn descended from the Maghreb type of Morocco.

Sub-types and races. The Zaghawa (or Arid Upland) of north-western Darfur and of eastern Chad appears to be the same sheep as the Black Maure.

Distribution. Owned by a number of Moor tribes in southern Mauritania (Hodh region), in northern Mali in the Nara, Nioro and Niono areas and eastwards to the western border of the Niger inundation zone, and in northern Senegal. Zaghawa are distributed in eastern Chad and north- western Darfur.

Ecological zones. Arid areas with low and highly seasonal rainfall. Northern Sahel and Saharo-Sahelian zones mainly of annual [Aristida, Cenchrus) grasses with some perennials and scattered acacia scrub.

Management systems. Principally pastoral. Many owners are "black" Moors (i.e. low cast former slave or 'haratin' groups) who practice some opportunistic agriculture. Owners transhume southwards in the dry season after sedentary farmers' crops are harvested (Dec-Jan) and set up temporary camps on stubbles: herds and flocks manure these fields in exchange for access to water from shallow hand-dug wells. The return north is during the early rains (Jun-Jul). The Zaghawa system is similar. Flock sizes are medium to large. Flock structure is related to production of hair and includes mature male castrates: females 77.2 per cent (breeding 66.0 per cent); males 22.9 per cent (castrates 6.2 per cent).

Physical characteristics. Large size 75-90 cm (male 80 cm; female 74 cm). Weight: male 45 kg; female 32 kg.

Strong head with flat forehead, profile convex in males but less so in females, narrow between eyes, narrow muzzle, well developed tear glands.

Horns: well developed in males, triangular shaped, flat spiral directly outwards from head Figure 63, up to 30 cm in length, said to have multiple horns occasionally; females usually hornless. In the Zhagawa the horns have less pronounced ribs. Ears long (20 cm) in Maure, medium (12 cm) in Zhagawa, rather broad, pendulous. Toggles in a small percentage of both sexes, usually long.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 63 A Black Maure ram on stubble grazing in central Mali

Neck long and thin. Chest narrow and shallow. Withers lower than tail head. Back long and dipped. Croup short. Legs long and lightly fleshed. Tail long (36 cm) and thin, falling below hocks.

Colour generally black with white tip to tail. In Chad about 68 per cent of animals black with another 15 per cent being predominantly black. Coat of long, coarse stiff black hair in loose ripples over a softer undercoat.

Products. Hair; meat; milk; (skins and pelts).

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: 12-18 months. Lambing interval: 8-10 months, generally aseasonal but some control of breeding practised by use of 'kunan'. Multiple births: 2-4 per cent. Litter size: 1.03. Annual reproductive rate: 1.4. Gestation period: 153 days in Sudanese Zaghawa.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 3 kg. Weight for age: 5 months-16.0, 12-24.0, 18-28.2, 24-31.5, 36-32.4 kg.

MILK. No firm information but based on lamb growth rates the lactation yield is probably 40 to 45 kg.

HAIR. Yield: multiple clips yield about 200 g per year. Fibre length: 3.3 cm (reported to be up to 10.0 cm). Fibre diameter: 26.6 um with CV 67.4 per cent. Very little grease. Used mainly in tent manufacture Figure 64 and for blankets.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 64 Raw and spun hair (top) and hair tent with Black Maure flock (bottom) on dry season pasture in an agro-pastoral system in central mail

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 35-40 in West Africa, 39-42 in Chad. Very little fat.

Research. None current. Used in 1930-1950 in cross-breeding programme with Karakul to produce Astrakhan-type pelts but acceptable pelts could only be obtained from animals with 87.5 per cent Karakul blood and practice was not taken up by traditional owners. Half-bred females from these experiments produced 1.2 kg coarse wool per year. Incomplete rapid surveys in Mali.

References. Curasson, 1934; Vallée, 1938; Chatel, 1939; McLeroy, 1961; Dumas, 1980; Wilson, 1981.

TOUABIRE

Synonyms. White Maure; White Arab.

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group. Sub-types and races. Warale is a Touabire/Peul-Peul crossbred.

Distribution. Owned by the same tribes as the Black Maure, in southern Mauritania, in northern Mali and in northern Senegal, generally north of 15�N.

Ecological zones. Arid areas with low and seasonal monomodal rainfall.

Management systems. As for Black Maure but also in smallholder fattening ("Mouton de Case"). Flock sizes medium to large, up to 130 head. Flock structures are related to meat production: females 74 per cent (breeding 60 per cent); males 26 per cent (breeding 4 per cent). Daily herding and management is done by women and children.

Physical characteristics. Large size 65-90 cm (male 75-90 cm; female 65-80 cm). Weight: 45-50 kg.

Strong head with flat forehead. Profile markedly convex in males and usually so in females (Figure 65). Lower face thin with narrow muzzle. Large eye with prominent supraorbital process.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 65 Profile of a female Touabire sheep in a village flock in northern Senegal

Horns: usually present in males, triangular in cross-section, often only as scurs, otherwise typically curved backwards and then forwards;

usually absent in females. Ears long to medium, rather broad and pendulous. Toggles in a small percentage of both sexes, usually long and thin.

Neck long and thin but with a fold of fat at nape on animals in very good condition. Chest narrow and shallow. Withers prominent.

Back long and dipped. Croup short and sloping. Legs long, very lightly fleshed. Tail long, very thin and falling to or below hocks (Figure 66).

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 66 A Touabire ram at Dahra station in northern Senegal (note the wall eye)

Colour usually white but with variable amounts of black spotting. Coat short and stiff. Males often have longer hair on brisket.

Products. Meat; milk; (skins).

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: 739 ± 50.5 (s.d.) days (n=85) at Dahra; capable of lambing much earlier as when put to ram at 5 months first lambing averaged 374.8 days. Lambing interval: 342 days (n=76) at Dahra. Multiple births: very few. Litter size: 1.02 at Dahra.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 3.7 kg at Dahra. Weight for age: 30 days-9.8, 60-15.0, 90-77.2 kg at Dahra. Average daily gain: birth-30 days - 176, 30-60 - 115, 60-90 - 73 g. Mature weights: males 46.4 ± 4.4 (s.d.) kg (n=5); females 34.5 ± 4.4 kg (n=65).

MILK. Lactation length: 5-6 months. Yield: 200-400 g/d. MEAT. Dressing percentage: 40-45.

Research. Laboratoire national de l'élevage et des recherches v�térinaires, Dahra, Sénégal.

References. Bradford, 1983; Sow, Thiongane & Tchamitchian, 1987.

PEUL-PEUL

Synonyms. Fulani (English); Foulb�.

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group.

Sub-types and races. Waral� is a Touabire/Peul-Peul crossbred. Distribution. Central Senegal.

Ecological zones. Semi-arid to sub-humid in Sahel and Sudano-Sahel zones.

Management systems. Pastoral and agro-pastoral.

Physical characteristics. Medium size 65-75 cm. Weight: 30-50 kg.

Horns: present in males, loosely spiralled.

Colour variable but usually white with black or red spots or whole red. Coat short and stiff.

Products. Meat.

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: > 24 months. Lambing interval: 12 months in Senegal traditional system; 7.3 months (n=35) on station (40, 36, 16 and 8 per cent with intervals of < 7, 7-8, 8-9 and > 9 months).

GROWTH. Birth weight: male 3.1 kg, female 2.9 kg from dams provided with some supplementary feed. Average daily gain: 0-40 days - 124.4, 40-180 - 110.6 g.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 50

Research. Laboratoire national de l'�levage et des recherches v�t�rinaires, Dahra, S�n�gal.

References. Tchakerian, 1979; Bradford, 1983.

TORONKE

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group.

Sub-types and races. Several are recognized, usually based on colour and markings (Futank�, Figure 67), locality (Banamba, Figure 67), or ethnic group (Fulani). The Peul Voltaïque of Burkina Faso is similar.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 67 Toronke sheep of the Futankeé (left) and Banamba (right) sub-types at Bamako market in Mali

Distribution. West-central Mali and south into Burkina Faso.

Ecological zones. Semi-arid to arid.

Management systems. Agro-pastoral and pastoral.

MALI. Sheep are owned in two major types of sedentary livestock systems -- rainfed millet and irrigated rice -- and in a number of transhumant systems. In both the rainfed millet and irrigated rice systems about 56 per cent of households own sheep (compared to 100 per cent owning goats). Flock sizes average about 13 head in the rain- fed and about 12 in the irrigated systems for those families owning sheep, and about 25 head in the transhumant system. Sheep are outnumbered by goats in the ratio of about 5.4:1.0 in the millet system, by about 1.4:1.0 in the rice system and by about 2.6:1.0 in the transhumant system. Unlike goats, which are often tethered at night in the sedentary system, sheep are penned communally in a thorn enclosure. Flock structures are related primarily to meat production: females 76.7 per cent (54.3 per cent breeding), males 23.3 per cent (2.4 per cent > 15 months) in sedentary systems; females 70.3 per cent (53.5 per cent breeding, males 29.8 per cent (7.5 per cent > 15 months of which 3.2 per cent castrates) in transhumant systems.

BURKINA FASO. "Sahel" sheep are owned by about 80 per cent of Fulani agro-pastoral families in Yatenga, with an average flock size of 23 head: 87 per cent of families own goats, average flock size about 54 head. Both sheep and goats are loosely herded except during the short crop growth period. Flock structures are related mainly to meat production: females 76.2 per cent (59.6 per cent breeding), males 23.8 per cent (5.7 per cent > 15 months of which 2.0 per cent castrates).

Physical characteristics. Large size 70-80 cm. Weight: male 40 kg; female 30-35 kg.

Head strong and elongated. Convex profile in males, straight in females.

Horns: almost universal in males, slightly flattened in cross- section and deeply ribbed, spiral in classic "ram's horn" shape and up to 65 cm long; about 32 per cent of females carry horns, usually light and rudimentary, and up to 15 cm long. Ears are semi-pendulous and of medium length (11-14 cm). About 25 per cent of males and females have toggles, variable in position and length.

Neck rather long and thick, clean in that there is neither mane nor longer hairs on the throat. Withers prominent, average height 74.1 ± 4.1 (s.d.) cm (n=48) in females. Chest fairly well developed, about 8 per cent greater in circumference than withers height. Back medium length, slightly dipped and fairly wide over kidneys. Croup more or less well developed. Legs long but well boned and fleshed. Tail long, to below hocks, and thin.

Colour very variable: 49 per cent red pied, 28 per cent black pied, 19 per cent white, 9 per cent red and 3 per cent black (n=367) at Kayes research station in west Mali. Futank� is usually sparsely spotted black. Banamba is red. Burkina type is mainly white with various degrees of spotting.

Products. Meat; (milk).

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: 23.4 months at Kayes; 480 ± 115.3 (s.d.) days (n=210) in central Mali traditional system over 6 year period 1978-1983; 13.9 months in 1979-1980 in northern Burkina Faso but much later (22-24 months) in 1983. Lambing interval: 261 ± 76.3 (s.d.) days (n=984) in central Mali traditional system, most being in range of 6-8 months, longer in millet than in rice system, reducing with increasing parity, longer after a twin birth and longer after a previous birth in post-rains or cold dry (Oct-Feb) seasons; 290 + 69.9

Table 35 Lambing data for 24 flocks of sedentary sheep in central Mali

Parameter Physiological age of goat Overall

Pairs permanent incisors

Temporary incisors
4 3 2 1
Number in sample 37 21 22 42 16 138
Type of birth
single 124 52 43 41 0 267
twin 9 2 2 1 0 14
triplet 1 0 0 0 0 1
Total births 134 54 45 42 7 282
Total lambs born 145 56 47 43 7 298
Litter size 1.08 1.04 1.04 1.02 1.00 1.06
Births per ewe
mean 3.62 2.57 2.05 1.00 0.43 1.84
mode 3 2+3 1 1 0 1
range 2-8 0-5 1-4 0-3 0-1 0-1

(s.d.) days (n=44) in Burkina Faso in 1983-1985. Multiple births: rare; 94.7 per cent single, 5.0 per cent twin and 0.3 per cent triplet in 282 parturitions in central Mali according to owner recall in 1978 (Table 35); 95.7, 4.2 and 0.1 per cent respectively for 1650 parturitions in 1978-1983 in central Mali. Litter size: 1.01 on station at Kayes; 1.06 by owner recall in Mali traditional system; 1.04 ± 0.21 (s.d.) (n=1650) in Mali long term study, larger for births in cold and hot dry seasons related to conceptions during and just after rains; 1.05 ± 0.22 (s.d.) (n=258) in Burkina Faso. Annual reproductive rate: 1.45 in long term Mali study; 1.33 in Burkina faso. Lifetime production: 1.84 parturitions per ewe in central Mali, full mouth ewes averaging 3.62 parturitions (Table 35); 0.13, 0.52, 1.40, 2.20 and 3.43 parturitions per ewe with temporary, 1, 2, 3, and 4 pairs of permanent incisors in the Gourma in Mali.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 2.9 ± 0.88 (s.d.) kg (n=613) in central Mali traditional system in 1978-1984, heavier in rice (3.0) than in millet (2.6) system, males (2.9) heavier than females (2.6), singles (3.1) heavier than twins (2.4), heavier in lambs from older females and heavier in lambs born in rainy season. Weight for age: 30 days-6.0, 90-11.8, 150-16.1, 240-21.5, 365-27.2, 550-32.0, 730-35.1, 1095-39.2, 1460-37.9 kg in Mali; 30 days-5.9, 90-10.3, 150-14.9, 240-18.6, 365- 24.9 kg in Burkina Faso; 27.4, 28.9, 30.1 and 32.0 kg per females with 1, 2, 3 and 4 pairs of permanent incisors in Burkina Faso, and 28.1, 29.4, 32.8 and 37.2 kg for males at same stages. Average daily gain: 0-150 days - 88.7, 0-365 - 66.9, 0-1095 - 33.3 g in Mali; 0-150 days - 83.3, 150-365 - 45.4 g in Burkina Faso. Post-partum weights: 30.0 ± 5.33 (s.d.) kg (n=1536) in central Mali, varying by system, type of parturition and parity (first parity 27.7 kg, fourth parity and above 33.9 kg).

Weight variations due to season are slightly more marked than for goats in the same systems Table 27.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: castrates 48.6 at 31.8 kg live weight, entire males 44.5 at 33.4 kg and females 45.5 at 28.6 kg at central Mali abattoir. Carcass composition: butcher's carcass 45.7 per cent at 31.2 kg in central Mali, stomachs and intestines 5.1, kidneys 0.5, liver 1.9, lungs and heart 2.9, mesenteric fat 4.1, spleen 0.1, head 6.9, feet 2.8, skin 7.1, udder 0.9, gut fill 15.4, blood and body fluids 6.2.

Average carcass weights 14.2 kg for all ages and sexes combined in central Mali, dressing percentage being lower than goats mainly due to greater gut fill. Sheep contributed 4.4 per cent to total meat available from Niono slaughterhouse in central Mali in 1979/1980. Most sheep are slaughtered at home for household consumption, however, many being reared specifically in a "Mouton de Case" (smallholder fattening) system.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 68: Moutons de Case in the irrigated rice system in central Mali

In the Mouton de Case system, 1 or a small number of sheep are specifically fattened for slaughter at the main muslim festivals, in a totally confined system Figure 68. More than 25 per cent of total sheep slaughter occurs in connection with 'tabaski', the Feast of the Sacrifice. In central Mali 39 per cent of households in the rice and 24 per cent in the millet systems practised this fattening system. Average numbers fattened were 1.98 in the rice system (52, 24, 13, 4 and 7 per cent of owners fattening 1, 2, 3, 4 and > 4 animals) and 2.19 in the millet system (41, 39, 8, 0 and 12 per cent fattening 1, 2, 3, 4, and > 4 animals). About 77, 3 and 20 per cent of sheep were males, castrates and females with 62 and 28 per cent of males being < 15 and 15-21 months old. Mouton de Case were significantly heavier at all ages than their extensively reared contemporaries Table 36. There was a significant price premium per unit weight for heavier animals. Most animals were in the weight range of 40-50 kg (32.4 per cent) and of 30-40 kg (31.9 per cent) at slaughter or sale in 1980 and 1983, with 15.3 per cent weighing more than 50 kg.

Table 36:Comparative weights of Moutons de Case and extensively reared sheep in central Mali

Age

Weight (kg)
Mouton de Case Extensively reared
< 15months1) 32.4 18.3
15-21 months 38.0 27.3
22-27 months 40.02 31.5
28-33 months 53.5 34.8
>33 months 52.9 44.8

Note: 1) average 8 months

Research. Mainly systems studies carried out by ILCA, EEC and national organizations, the two first now stopped. Institut national des recherches zootechniques, hydrobiologiques et forestières, Station de Toronk�, Kayes, Mali.

References. Bourzat, 1980; Peacock, 1983; Wilson, 1983b; Wilson & Durkin, 1983; Wilson, 1984a; 1984b; Kolff & Wilson, 1985; Wilson, 1986; Wilson & Light, 1986; Wilson, 1987; Wilson & Sayers, 1987; Wilson, 1988; Wilson & Durkin, 1988; Bourzat & Wilson, 1989.

TOUAREG

Synonyms. Targui (=singular of Touareg).

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group.

Sub-types and races. A smaller "Touareg" sheep is sometimes distinguised in the Gourma in Mali.

Distribution. North-east Mali from the top of the Niger bend and Timbuctoo, north to the Adrar n'Iforas at about 19°N and eastwards to Niger from Niamey and Dosso in the south to the Aïr region in the north.

Ecological zones. Semi-arid and arid to extreme arid.

Management systems. Pastoral, transhumant and nomadic, and to a lesser extent agropastoral. Flock fairly large, 50 head or greater in Mali, and 100 head in Niger flock structures are related to meat production in Mali and milk production in Niger: females 73 per cent (48 per cent > 15 months, 62 per cent breeding), males 27 per cent (9 per cent > 15 months, 8 per cent castrates) in the Gourma in Mali; females 82 per cent (64 per cent breeding), males 18 per cent (6.1 per cent > 15 months of which 4.0 per cent castrates) in Niger.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 69: A ram of Touareg type (note 'kunan' to control breeding) in the Air region in north Niger

Physical characteristics. Large size 75-80 cm. Weight: 40-60 kg. Head fairly strong. Forehead prominent with strongly convex profile. Muzzle narrow. Eyes not very prominent.

Horns: usually present in male, strongly ribbed, spiralling backwards; usually absent in female. Ears medium length, 15 cm. Toggles occur in both sexes. Some males in some areas may have a mane and a slight throat ruff.

Neck long with fat fold at nape in males in good condition. Withers prominent. Chest shallow and narrow, girth circumference barely exceeding withers height. Back straight and fairly long. Croup sloping but less than in neighbouring Maure and Toronké types. Legs long with flat thighs and lightly fleshed. Tail medium length, reaching to hocks. Udders well shaped with long, well-spaced teats.

Colour white, usually more or less heavily spotted Figure 69. Other colours, notably red, occur. Coat of short stiff hair.

Products. Meat; milk.

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: apparently delayed, many ewes not lambing until 2 years Table 37. Lambing interval: about or longer than 365 days. Multiple births: uncommon. Litter size: ?1.03. Annual reproductive rate: 0.59 in the Mali an Gourma in 1983. Lifetime production: only 4 per cent of ewes produce more than 4 lambs.

MILK. Yield: 200-400 g/d in dry season; 400-600 g/d in wet season.

Milk is converted to a very hard cheese which is stored as small, flat, round cakes.

Table 37 Reproductive careers based on owner recall in Touareg sheep in the Gourma of Mali

Age class (months)

Number of parturitions

Mean parturitions per female
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8  
10-15 91 1               0.10
15-21 86 17 3             0.21
21-27 35 20 23 3           0.92
27-35 4 15 24 13           1.82
>35 3 10 88 68 38 10 8 3 1 2.29

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 46.

Said to fatten easily and to produce nicely marbled meat. A preferred type for "Mouton de Case" (see Toronké).

References. Wilson & Wagenaar, 1983; Peacock, 1983.

ARA ARA

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group.

Distribution. South-central and central Niger.

Ecological zones. Semi-arid.

Management systems. Agro-pastoral and pastoral.

Physical characteristics. Similar to Uda.

Products. Meat.

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. Multiple births: relatively many for arid zone sheep; 84.6 per cent single, 13.0 per cent twin, 2.4 per cent triplet in 1985 and 1986 on station at Maradi. Litter size: 1.18 (n=208).

GROWTH. Birth weight: 2.7 kg; single males 3.0, twin males 2.4, single females 2.7, twin females 2.3 on Maradi station. Weight for age: single males 1 month-8.0, 2-10.6 kg; single females 1 month-7.3, 2-13.9 kg.

Research. Centre d'�levage caprin du Maradi, BP 379, Maradi, Niger.

References. CECM, 1985; 1986.

UDA

Synonyms. Oudah; Peul; Bali-bali; Bororo (western Sudan); Fellata. (western Sudan).

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group.

Sub-types and races. There is considerable confusion of terminology in this type. In Niger the pied (Oudah bicolore) and white (Bouli) varieties are considered to be colour variants. In Nigeria the white type is called the Balami and generally accorded full breed status. In Chad and northern Cameroon the pied type is known as Foulb� and the white type as Waïla. The Bali-bali is sometimes considered a separate type and not just a synonym in Niger.

Distribution. Southern Niger, northern Nigeria, central Chad to western Sudan and Cameroon.

Ecological zones. Semi-arid monomodal rainfall lowlands to arid.

Management systems. Agro-pastoral and pastoral transhumant.

Physical characteristics. Large size up to 85 cm (male 75-85 cm; female 65-75 cm). Weight: male 65 kg; female 45 kg.

Head long and heavy with flat forehead, often with a central depression, and slightly convex profile.

Horns: almost universally present in males, long and spirally twisted growing horizontally out from head Figure 70; when present in females short and fine. Ears pendent, thin; long to very long (22 cm). Both sexes occasionally have toggles. Males may have a mane. Neck long, occasionally with dewlap. Withers prominent and higher than sacrum. Chest shallow and narrow, girth measuring about the same or slightly more than withers height. Back long and dipped. Croup short and sharply sloping. Legs long and lightly fleshed. Tail long and thin.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 70 Ram of Uda type at the Niamey research station of the Institut national de la recherche agronomique nigérienne

Colour black and white pied, black on fore and white on hind quarters with clean dividing line in classic Uda type: all white in Bali-bali. Forehand is dark chocolate to reddish in some animals. Coat of short coarse hair.

When crossed with forest type sheep in the south of its range the animal becomes smaller, has shorter ears and may carry a mane, a throat ruff and also some hair on the chest and rib cage Figure 71.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 71: A "Sahel crossbred" showing Uda and forest type characters at Maruma Cameroon

Products. Meat

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION: First oestrus: 351 ± 37.8 (s.d.) days (n=12) on station in Niger. First lambing: 15-17 months on station in Niger; 448 days (314-662) (n=28) at Yagoua station in Cameroon, 11 per cent lambing at < 365 days. Lambing interval: 270 days at Shika in Nigeria.

Multiple births: uncommon, 1 triplet in 404 births over a 7 year period in Niger; 10 twin and 61 single at Shika in Nigeria. Litter size: always less than 1.1 on station in Niger with pied types having larger (1.10) litters than white ones (1.04); 1.14 at Shika in Nigeria. Fecundity (=lambs/100 ewes/year): 151 per cent at Yagoua station in north Cameroon.

Oestrus cycle: 16.8 ± 0.06 (s.e.) days (n=109) in Niger but with much longer intervals in Jan-Apr

leading to a reduced frequency of oestrus Figure 72; heat lasts 33.2 ± 3.1 hours (n=28).

Gestation period: 154.8 ± 1.0 (s.d.) days (n=28) in Niger. Ovulation rate: 1.3 ± 0.04 (s.e.) with no seasonal variation in Niger.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 72: Seasonal variations in expression of oestrus in Uda ewes in Niger

GROWTH. Birth weight: 3.5 kg on station in Niger; males 3.9, females 3.5 kg at Shika. Weight for age: on station in Niger weights at 30, 90 and 180 days increased from 7.3, 13.6 and 20.4 kg in 1981 to 11.0, 18.9 and 27.0 kg in 1987, probably as a result of better management; 3 months-males 16.2 and females 15.3, 12-32.6 and 27.1, 18-36.1 and 24.3 kg at Shika. Average daily gain: birth-18 kg - single males 150 (114-192), twin males 110 (75-174), single females 140 (79-170), twin females 113 (101-142) g at Katsina in Nigeria; 0-3 months - 156 singles and 111 twins, 0-6 - 109 and 95, 0-12 - 98 and 91 g in Nigeria.

MILK. Yield: estimated at 60 litres in 150 days on station in Niger.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 48-50 on station in Niger; 38-41 at Shika at 13-14 months with carcass weight of 11.5 kg.

Research. Ecole sup�rieure d'agronomie, Universit� de Niamey, BP 10960, Niamey, Niger. Federal Livestock Department, Katsina Station, Kano Region, Nigeria.

References. Ferguson, 1964; Ibrahim, 1975; Gaillard, 1979; Ngere, Adu & Mani, 1979; Yenikoye et al, 1982; Yenikoye, 1984; Deciry, 1987; Yenikoye, Mariana & Celeux, 1989.

BALAMI

Synonyms. ?Bornu. Names applied to the Uda are also used for this sheep, with or without the prefix "white".

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group.

Sub-types and races. The Balami is probably the same sheep as the "Bouli" or white Uda variety of Niger.

Distribution. Northern Nigeria.

Ecological zones. Semiarid and drier sub-humid.

Management systems. Agro-pastoral.

Physical characteristics. Large size. Weight: heavier than Uda.

Similar to Uda except colour is wholly white Figure 73

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 73: Balami ram at Katsina station, northern Nigeria

Products. Meat.

Productivity.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 3.5 kg singles, 3.1 kg twins. Average daily gain: birth-18 kg - males single 142 (101-190) twin 108 (67-167), females single 137 (76-198) twin 103 (69-133) g at Katsina in Nigeria.

Research. Federal Livestock Department, Katsina Station, Nigeria.

References. Ngere Adu & Mani. 1979.

YANKASA

Origins. Part of the West African Sahel or long-legged group although there has probably been some admixture of blood from sheep from farther south

Distribution. Northern and north-central Nigeria ("Yankasa" = Hausa "local").

Ecological zones. Semi-arid and sub-humid, extending into the northern Guinea savanna in the south.

Management systems. Agropastoral and pastoral. In a Fulani agro-pastoral system near Zaria in northern Nigeria 70.0 per cent of families own an average of 12.5 sheep in the range 2-50: goats and/or sheep are owned by 85.3 per cent of families. Unlike goats, sheep are managed with cattle, go out to graze with them, and at night are tied by an individual neck loop to a 'dangwali', a long, common rope attached to a picket at each end. Sheep are outnumbered by goats in the ratio 1.0:1.4 in Zaria. In the Kaduna area in sub-humid north-central Nigeria, sheep are more important than goats. Generalized flock structure: females 76.1 per cent (47.1 per cent with 1 or more pairs permanent incisors); males 23.9 per cent (3.6 per cent with 1 or more pairs permanent incisors) with a ratio of breeding males to breeding females of 1.0:12.9.

Physical characteristics. Large size. Weight: male 40 kg.

Horns, when present, are small and variable in shape. Ears relatively short and semi-pendent. Many males have a mane.

Colour white with black ears and around eyes, muzzle and on top of tail.

Products. Meat

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First oestrus: 238 ± 23.4 (s.d.) days (n=10). Weight at first oestrus: 18.4 + 0.4 kg. First lambing: rather delayed in northern Nigeria traditional system with only 1.5 per cent of ewes with temporary incisors and only 57.9 per cent of those with one pair of permanent incisors having lambed Table 38 . Multiple births:

Table 38: Reproductive data established from owner recall in 106 flocks of sedentary Yankasa sheep in Kaduna state, northern Nigeria

Parameter

Physiological age of sheep

Overall

Pairs permanent incisors

Temporary incisors
4 3 2 1
Number in sample 179 173 155 164 412 1083
Type of birth
single 566 362 198 92 6 1224
twin 50 20 10 3 0 83
Total births 616 382 208 95 6 1307
Total young born 616 402 218 98 6 1390
Litter size 1.08 1.05 1.05 1.03 1.03 1.06
Births per ewe 3.44 2.21 1.34 0.58 0.01 1.21

uncommon to fairly common; 93.6 per cent single, 6.4 per cent twin in northern Nigeria traditional system; 74.5 per cent single, 25.5 per cent twin at Shika station, Nigeria. Litter size: 1.06 (n=1307) in northern Nigeria traditional system, rising from 1.0 for ewes with milk teeth to 1.08 for ewes having 4 pairs permanent incisors; 1.25 at Shika. Lifetime production: ewes in a northern Nigeria Fulani traditional system averaged 1.21 parturitions. Oestrus cycle: 18.1 ± 1.7 days; heat 25 ± 2.2 hours. Ovulation rate: 1.36 ± 0.34 (s.d.) in 454 slaughtered females at Zaria, Nigeria, with 67.8, 28.9, 2.9 and 0.4 per cent single, twin, triple and quadruple ovulations; in comparison to observed litter sizes probably indicates important embryonic losses.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 3.5 kg males, 4.0 kg females at Shika; 3.5 kg males, 3.0 kg females in traditional system. Height for age: 3 months-males 14.9 and females 13.9, 12-29.8 and 21.2, 18-46.9 and 30.0 kg at Shika. Average daily gain: 0-3 months - 148 singles and 116 twins, 0-6 - 99 and 82, 0-12 - 80 and 72 g.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 42 at 30 kg live weight.

Research. National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika, P.M.B. 1096, Zaria, Nigeria.

References. Ferguson, 1964; Ngere, Adu & Mani, 1979; Kwatu, Umunna & Chineme, 1983; Oyedipe et al, 1986; Otchere et al, 1987; N. Pathiraja, pers.comm.

MOSSI

Origins. Probably from an early cross of Toronké or Burkina Faso Peul Volta�que sheep with the Djallonk�.

Distribution. The Yatenga area of Burkina Faso in the ancient kingdom of Mossi between 13°N and 14°N and 1°W and 3°W. The area covers about 12 500 km2, has a population of 600 000 people and possibly 120 000 sheep and 190 000 goats. Cattle are about equivalent in numbers to sheep and donkeys and pigs are also kept.

Similar sheep are said to occur from Senegal to Benin.

Ecological zones. Semi-arid with a short rainfall period of about 5 months, most rain (average 550 mm per year in 1973-1984) falling in Jun-Sep.

Management systems. Agro-pastoral. Individual farm sizes are about 9 ha with about one-third of this area cultivated to each of sorghum and millet. Except during the crop growing season sheep are not herded and roam freely over a wide area around the village. At night sheep are housed in small mud brick structures inside the house compound Figure 74. Small ruminants, and sheep in particular, are used specifically as a short term savings medium and flock turnover is very rapid. Sheep are owned by about 90 per cent of households, each with an average flock of 12.4 animals: in the same system only 43 per cent of families own goats, average holding size being 8.8head. Flock structure are related to cash saving and income generating functions with a fairly high proportion of males: females 67.8 per cent (breeding > 10 months 54.5 per cent); males 32.2 per cent; animals under 15 months old account for 49.9 per cent of the flock.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 74: Mossi sheep in the village of You, Yatenga, Burkina Faso being released Flock structures from their night house

Physical characteristics. Small size 50-60 cm. Weight: male 25-30 kg; female 20-25 kg.

Head strong with convex profile.

Horns: present in males, triangular in shape and sprialling backwords then forwads; much lighter and shorter when carried by females. Ears short to medium length and semipendent. Toggles in a small proportion of both sexes. Males have a mane, a throat ruff and an apron of long hair with the longer hair often extending backwards along the rib cage.

Neck short but fairly heavy. Withers not prominent, higher than tail head. Back short with slight dip. Croup sharply sloping. Legs short, poorly fleshed. Tail thin, descending to hocks or just beyond. Colour usually pied with black forehand or head and neck and white rear (60 per cent); chocolate brown and red sometimes replace the black (7 per cent) and black patches are not unusual elsewhere on the body, especially the lower legs (19 per cent). Coat short to long of soft hair.

Products. Meat.

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. First lambing: 446 ± 86 (s.d.) days (n=16) at You and 470 ± 111 days (n=64) at Kiré in 1983-1985; various studies in Yatenga from 1980-1984 indicate a range of 13.5-15,1months depending on the year. Lambing interval. 274 ± 76.0 (s.d.) ; days (n=191) at You and 296 ± 82.4 days (n=237) at Kir�.

Multiple births: very uncommon. Litter size: 1.02 ± 0.136 (s.d.) (n=320) at You, increasing from 1.00 at first to 1.04 at fourth and higher parities; similar small litter sizes are recorded by other studies.

Table 39: Weights (kg) of Mossi sheep at You, Burkina Faso, as affected by some indicate a range environmental variables

Variable

Age (days)

10 30 90 150 240 365
Overall average

4.0

6.1 10.6 13.6 17.2 21.2

Season of birth

cold dry 4.6 6.9 11.5 13.3 15.8 21.8
hot dry 3.6 5.6 9.4 13.6 19.1 17.9
rains 3.3 5.5 10.3 14.2 17.1 20.7
post-rains 4.3 6.6 11.4 13.4 16.9 24.4

Year

1983 4.4 6.9 13.1 15.6 17.2 20.2
1984 4.1 6.5 11.2 13.1 17.2 22.2
1985 3.4 5.0 7.6 12.2 - -

Parity

1 3.6 5.4 9.6 12.5 16.3 20.3
2 4.0 6.5 11.0 13.6 18.0 23.3
3 4.1 6.4 11.2 14.3 17.9 20.6
>4 4.1 6.3 10.8 14.1 16.6 20.7

Birth type

single 4.1 5.9 11.4 15.6 18.8 22.8
multiple 3.8 5.4 9.9 11.7 15.6 19.7

Sex

female 3.8 5.9 10.2 12.9 16.1 19.8
male 4.2 6.4 11.2 14.3 18.3 22.6

Annual reproductive rate: 1.36. Fecundity (=lambs born in year t+l/ewes present in year t): 0.82 in 1983-1984 and 1.46 in 1981-1982.

Births take place all the year round with a peak in Nov following conception in early rains and lowest in Jul-Sep related to conception in late dry season of Feb-Apr.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 2.5 kg. Weight for age: from a weight of 4.0 kg at 10 days lambs increased to 21.2 kg at 365 days at You; weights were affected to weaning by season and year of birth, by parity, by birth type and by sex, and season and sex effects persisted until 365 days Table 39; weights of females with 1, 2, 3 and 4 pairs of permanent incisors were 22.4, 24.5, 25.3 and 25.6 kg and for males for the first 3 stages were 27.8, 28.2 and 29.0 kg. Average daily gain: birth-150 days(weaning) - 87.3, 150-365 - 28.8, birth-365 - 59.2. Mature weights: full mouth females varied from 29.1 kg in the cold dry season (Jan) to 23.1 kg in the hot dry season (early Jul).

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 40-48 at carcass weight of 10-12 kg.

Research. Field studies and development projects carried out by IEMVT, GTZ, EEC and ILCA have been discontinued.

References. Bourzat, 1980; Ouedraogo, 1984; Wilson, 1987; Bourzat & Wilson, 1989.

VOGAN

Origins. Described essentially by a single author and said to be a cross (?bred inter-se) of Djallonké with Sahel sheep.

Distribution. Confined to southern Togo (and neighbouring Benin) in the vicinity of Vogan, in the Vo, Aneho and Tabligbo districts. In these 3 districts in 1976 there were 118 500 sheep, 92 000 goats, 7000 cattle and 356 000 people in an area of 2620 km2.

Ecological zones. Sub-humid to humid coastal area with a long unimodal (or weakly bimodal) rainfall pattern.

Management systems. Principally urban where, it is said, the Djallonk� is being absorbed by Sahel sheep to produce this cross. Flock sizes average 7 or 8 animals. Animals are grazed under palms or among annual crops where they go under the guidance of the farmer and where, it is claimed, the sheep have been trained to graze only on weeds.

Physical characteristics. Fairly large size 69-73 cm. Weight: male 45 kg; female 40 kg.

Head fairly strong with flat forehead and slightly convex profile.

Horns are triangular in males, almost all of which possess them, loosely spiralled and 30-40 cm long; only 5.6 per cent of females (n=581) carry small horns. Ears are medium long (14 cm), broad and pendent. Toggles are present in 1.9 per cent (n=717) of animals, equally in both sexes.

Neck long. Chest deep but flat. Withers and back rather ridged. Croup sharply sloping. Legs longish and poorly fleshed. Tail long (30-40 cm), with no fat and usually terminating about the level of the hocks. Scrotum split for the bottom third of its length.

Colour usually variable, red and black pied animals being commonest, whole browns next and whole blacks rare. Hair short.

Products. Meat; (milk).

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. Multiple births: common; 62.7 per cent single, 34.4 per cent twin, 2.9 per cent triplet (n=308). Litter size: 1.40.

GROWTH. Birth weight: 2.26 kg (n=51); single males 2.69, twin males 2.32, single females 2.42, twin females 1.77. weight for age: 40 days-singles 9.6, twins 7.7 kg; 228 days-entire males 30.3 kg; animals supplemented with agro-industrial by products and 17.5 per cent crude protein weighed 43.9 kg at 8.5 months. Mature weights: males 40-55 kg (n=29); females 30-45 kg (n=120).

MILK. Lactation length: 124 ± 12 days for ewes with singles; 139 ± 15 days for ewes with twins. Yield: maximum of 1300 g/d for ewes with singles and 1980 g/d for those with twins, increasing with lactation number and being highest between 19 days and 27 days post-partum, highest yields being obtained at a later stage of lactation in older ewes; total yield (taken by lamb and milked-out) 103.5 kg and 158.7 kg for ewes rearing singles and twins Table 40.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 43.1 at a live weight of 27.6 kg; 45.0 in fattened animals at 43.9 kg live weight. Carcass composition: commercial carcass (=hot carcass weight/starved body weight) 43.1 per cent, true dressing percentage (=hot carcass weight/empty body weight) 51.6, liver 1.9, heart 0.6, kidneys 0.3, stomachs and intestines 8.3, lungs and trachea 1.3, skin 6.9, head 6.8, feet 2.5, testicles 1.1;

Table 40: Milk yield of Vogan ewes in Togo

Litter size and Lactation number

Daily yield (kg) in week of lactation

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Single
1 0.98 0.98 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99
2 1.00 1.08 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.20 1.14 1.02 0.95
3+4 1.05 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.02 0.93

Twin

1 1.14 1.14 1.50 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.28 1.25 1.18
2 1.42 1.60 1.75 1.75 1.75 1.50 1.28 1.19 1.10
3+4 1.90 1.93 2.02 2.00 1.99 1.98 1.90 1.70 1.48

muscle/bone/fat ratio of 66/7/27; hindquarters and shoulders contain 56 per cent of total muscle.

Research. Ecole sup�rieure d'agronomie, Universit� du Benin, BP 1515, Lom�, Togo.

References. Amégee, 1983a; 1984a; 1984b; 1984c.

DJALLONKE

Synonyms. Mouton guin�en; mouton nain d'Afrique occidentale; West African Dwarf sheep; Forest sheep.

Origins. More or less trypanotolerant depending on zone and level of challenge.

Sub-types and races. The Kirdi (or Kirdimi or Massa) in northern Cameroon and south-west Chad Figure 75 is a whole black variant of the Djallonk�. Also known as the Poulfouli in the far north of Cameroon and many other local and regional names, as for the West African Dwarf goat, are admitted.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 75: Kirdi sub-type of Djailonk� sheep at Garoua station, northern Cameroon

Distribution. West Africa from southern Senegal to Chad and south to Cameroon, Gabon and Congo.

Ecological zones. Humid forest zone of West and Central Africa, extending into derived savanna areas and sub-humid zones.

Management systems. Agricultural, urban and agro-pastoral. Owned by many ethnic groups.

NIGERIA. In south-east Nigeria far fewer families own sheep than own goats: 28 per cent of families own 11.4 sheep each (3.2 sheep average over all households) in the range 1-120, modal flock size being 1. Three management types are identifiable as for goats (see West African Dwarf goat, p.108). The percentages of households with different flock sizes are: 0=72; 1-4=14; 5-9=6; 10-19=4; >20=4.

SENEGAL. Djallonké sheep in Senegal are all found in the southern part of the country, in Casamance. Almost all families own either sheep or goats, or both species combined, but within families 60 per cent of men and 40 per cent of women own no sheep or goats: women own 60 per cent of all small ruminants but only 40 per cent of the sheep. Ownership of more than 5 sheep and goats combined is unusual, the average per adult human being 2.5. Only 32 per cent of households own more than 10 sheep and goats combined but these account for some 69 per cent of all small ruminants. Larger flock sizes, particularly in Fulani villages, usually infer accumulation of live capital for exchange for cattle. Integration of the small ruminant enterprise with crop production is achieved through grazing of crop residues in the dry season (Oct-Mar/Apr) and by use of rice strubbles and weedy regrowth in the paddies (sheep only from Jan-May/Jun), animals often being allowed to roam freely at this period. During the crop growing season sheep and goats are individually attached to pickets or closely herded. Flock structure: females 69.0 per cent (38.9 per cent breed-ding > 1 year indicating a high reproductive rate) about 30 per cent of which are bought in; males 31.0 per cent (4.7 per cent > 1 year showing early offtake of males not to be used for breeding).

TOGO. Numbers of sheep in Togo were estimated at about 600 000 in 1982-1983. About 33 per cent of households (~ 87 000) own sheep. The majority of sheep (34.5 per cent of the national population) are in the extreme north but many of these are of Sahel type or Sahel crosses. In this mainly agricultural country many animals are permanently confined and fed on household wastes and crop residues: individual tethering is also a common practice. Average flock size for the whole country is 7 but it is larger (10) in the north; 43 per cent of flocks are less than 5 head and only 10 per cent are larger than 15. Flock structure: females 65 per cent (50 per cent breeding > 1 year); males 35 per cent.

Physical characteristics. Very small 40-60 cm. Weight: male 25-30 kg; female 20-25 kg.

Strong and broad head, flat forehead, profile slightly bulging in male, wide muzzle. Eyes not prominent.

Horns usually present in males, usually absent in females: fairly well developed in males, wide at the base, curving backwards, outwards and then forwards, maximum curvature usually one and a half spirals; fine and short when present in females. Ears short (10 cm), narrow and usually pendent or semi-pendent. Toggles present only occasionally, about 5 per cent in Cameroon.

Neck long and rather fine. Chest fairly deep. Chest circumference 20 per cent greater than withers height. Withers higher than tail-head but less pronounced than in Sahel-type sheep. Back long in relation to height, usually dished. Croup poorly developed. Legs short. Tail descending to hocks, fairly thick at base but very fine at distal end, approximately 25 cm in length.

Colour usually pied (black forequarters, white hindquarters) or white but some sub-types -- notably the Kirdi -- have been selected for black. Hair short and stiff but males usually, although by no means always, have a heavy mane and apron of long hair with the long hair sometimes extending backwards along the rib cage Figure 76.

Haemoglobin Type A in this sheep confers some resistance to helminths.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 76: Djallonké sheep of the Ghana Forest sub-type (note mane and apron of long hair)

Products. Meat.

Productivity.

REPRODUCTION. Age at first oestrus: 250 days (206-322) on station in Côte d'lvoire. First lambing: 464 ± 110 (s.d.) days (n=92) in Senegal traditional system, 572 ± 24.3 (s.e.) days (n=115) on Senegal station; 514 days (n=85) in the range 371-721 days in south Cameroon on a University farm; 350 days (n=10) in Côte d'lvoire traditional system, 411 days (n=21) on station but in a more comprehensive sample age at first lambing was 431 days (n=112) in a traditional system, 480 days (n=177) in a modified traditional system where breeding was controlled and 494 days (n=224) on a commercial ranch Figure 77; 344 ± 49.3 (s.d.) days (n=36) in range 225-429 days in Kirdi sub-type at Garoua station in north Cameroon, 61 per cent at < 365 days. Lambing interval: 267 days (n=101) for first interval and 244 days (n=360) for subsequent ones in Senegalese traditional system; 307 days (n=663) on Senegalese station being shorter at first (305 days) than at subsequent intervals; 230 ± 53.6 (s.d.) days (n=475) in traditional system, 275 ± 75.6 days (n=1095) in controlled traditional, 267 ± 107.5 days (n=1164) on commercial ranch and 208.0 ± 7.36 (s.e.) days (n=213) at National Programme in Côte d'Ivoire; 241 days on Cameroon University farm; births are almost equally distributed over the year throughout the type's range. Multiple births: numerous; twins common, triplets more rare (Table 41). Litter size: 1.17 in Senegal traditional system and 1.12 on station; 1.17 on Cameroon University farm; 1.15 in various systems in Côte d'Ivoire but 1.25 at National Programme; 1.24-1.53 in Chad; 1.15 on station and 1.49 in a traditional system in Togo; in different studies, season and year of parturition influence litter size but ewe age or parity exerts greatest effect, older ewes having larger litters (1.08 for first and second parities in Senegal traditional system rising to 1.29 for fourth and older parities and 1.12 for early parities rising to 1.21 from third parity in Côte d'Ivoire). Annual reproductive rate: 1.33 on Senegal station; 1.56-1.97 in Côte d'Ivoire. Fecundity (=number of lambs born in the year/number of ewes joined): 157 to 203 per cent in 1982 to 1986 on Togo station; 168 per cent on Cameroon University farm; 163-204 per cent in various systems in Côte d'Ivoire. Fertility (=number of females giving birth/number of females mated): 96 per cent in Cameroon; 90 per cent in Côte d'Ivoire. Annual fertility rate (=number of females giving birth in a year/average number of females in the flock in the year): 136-178 per cent over 4 year period in Togo; average of 159 per cent in 2 year period at Côte d'Ivoire National Programme. Fecundity: (=lambs/100 ewes/year): 221 per cent for Djallonké and 231 per cent for Kirdi at Yagoua station in north Cameroon. Lifetime production: as many as 12 parturitions recorded in Senegal traditional system with 24.4 per cent of 1051 ewes having lambed once, 21.7 per cent twice, 16.7 per cent 3 times, 11.6 per cent 4 times, 9.2 per cent 5 times and 16.5 per cent 6 times or more; an estimate of 5 lambings per ewe suggested for Senegal station but an average of 3.7 achieved for ewes alive in 1981 and born between November 1974 and January 1977; ewes bought as adults in Cameroon averaged 6.2 lambings at the University farm; "reproductive life" estimated at 4.2 years on Senegal station (24 per cent annual replacement rate); culling age estimated at 6.0-6.5 years at Cameroon University. Oestrus cycle: 17.4 days (16-19) on station in Côte d'Ivoire with heat lasting 36 hours (12-60), there being no effects of season on cycle length. Gestation period: 148.1-150.2 days on station in Côte d'Ivoire.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 77: Distribution of ages at first lambing of Djallonké ewes under 3 systems of management in Côte d' Ivoire

Table 41 Multiple births by Djallonké ewes in various West African countries

Country and System

n

Percentage of births

Single Twin Triplet
Senegal traditional 1020 82.7 17.1 0.2
Senegal station

633

87.9 12.1 0.0
Togo traditional - 53.7 44.0 2.3
Côte d'Ivoire - 70.0 29.0 1.0
Chad - 37-79 20-53 1-10

Heritability of 0.19 estimated for age at first conception, of 0.46 (dam-daughter pairs) for lambing interval, and of 0.26 for litter size in Cameroon. Repeatability (inter- and intra-dam variances) of 0.11 for lambing interval in Senegal. A non-significant positive correlation (0.17) between litter size and lambing interval in Cameroon led to the conclusion that selection for larger litters and shorter intervals would not produce any adverse interactions.

Table 42: Birth weights (kg) of Djallonké sheep from various countries and as affected by a number of variables

Variable

Country and System

C�te d'lvoire

Cameroon Senegal

Togo

Traditional Ranch Station Station

Station

Overall average 1.92 1.56 2.15 1.59 1.69
Season: 1

1.90

1.55 - 1.60 1.71
2

1.94

1.53 -

1.70

1.70
3 1.93 1.60 -

1.48

1.64
Year: 1 1.90 1.38 - 1.48 -
2

2.00

1.58 - 1.71 -
3

1.87

1.60

-

1.54

-
4 - 1.58 -

1.65

-
5 - 1.69 - - -
Ewe age: 1

} 1.83

1.45 -

1.17

1.29
2 1.65 -

1.52

1.94
3 } 1.99 1.64 -

}

} 1.66

}

1.78
4 1.60 - 1.82
5 1.96 1.58 - 1.68
Sex: male 1.97 1.61 2.25 1.66 1.75
female

1.88

1.52 2.05 1.52 1.62
Type of birth: single

2.13

1.78 2.40 1.78 1.83
multiple

1.72

1.35 1.90 1.41 1.54

Note: Seasons and years in different countries do not correspond and ewe age in Senegal relates to parity

GROWTH. Birth weight: 1.2-2.5 kg Table 42; at C�te d'Ivoire National Programme there was a linear relationship between ewe weight and lamb birth weight (singles y = - 0.431 + 0.086x, twins y = 0.002 + 0.059x). Weight for age: 1 month-4.7, 3-9.6, 5-12.8, 8-15.8, 12-18.0, 18-19.5, 24-21.2 kg in Senegal traditional system; 2 months-6.1, 4-8.7, 6-11.3, 8-13.8, 12-17.9 kg on Senegal station; 1 month-5.1, 2-7.9, 3-10.2, 4-11.7, 5-12.9 kg in C�te d'Ivoire traditional system; selection criteria by the National Sheep Programme in C�te d'Ivoire require males to weigh 13 kg at 80 days, 23 kg at 180 days and 37 kg at 365 days, resulting in very big sheep for this type Figure 78; 4 months-8.6, 12-16.2, 18-21.2, 30-24.0, 0,54-26.9 kg for Kirdi in Chad; 1 month-4.0, 4-9.6 kg on station in Togo. Average daily gain: 0-15 days - 50, 15-30 - 87, 30-120 - 77, 120-180 - 39, 180-365 - 25 g in Senegal traditional system; 0-30 days - 78.3, 30-120 - 57.1 g on station in Togo where affected by month and type of birth, sex and ewe age in the first period and month and type of birth only in the second period; 0-60 days - males 98.3, females 79.1 g at National Programme in C�te d'Ivoire. Post-partum weights: primiparous females (464 days) were 20.1 kg (72 per cent of maximum weight), second parity females (731 days) were 22.0 kg, third parity (992 days) were 23.7 kg, and older females were 25.2 kg in Senegal traditional system; all ewes 23.8 kg, affected by year and age of the animal on Senegal station.

Small ruminant production and the small ruminant genetic resource in tropical Africa

Figure 78: Elite Djallonké rams selected on a weight for age basis at the National Sheep Programme station, Bouaké , Côte d' Ivoire

Repeatability of weights (intra- and inter-ewe variances) of 0.22 + 0.07, 0.18 + 0.07 and 0.24 ± 0.08 were obtained at birth, 60 and 120 days for lambs on station in Senegal. Repeatability of ewe post-partum weight in the same environment was 0.57 ± 0.05 and the phenotypic correlations between ewe weight and lamb weight at birth, 60 and 120 days were 0.20, 0.38 and 0.39.

MILK. Lactation length: 117 days in Mali; 105 ± 29 days for single bearing ewes and 112 ± 30 days for twin bearing ewes with "limited supplement" in Togo. Yield: 87 kg for supplemented ewes in Mali; maximum of 810 g/d and 1200 g/d with lactation yield of 57.4 ± 16.60 kg (n=42) and 86.4 ± 29.21 kg (n=34) for single and twin bearing ewes in Togo. Composition: DM 16.5 per cent; fat 6.0 per cent; ash 0.8 per cent; protein 5.4 per cent.

MEAT. Dressing percentage: 43.0 at 20.2 kg live weight in Cameroon; 44.1 at 19.5 kg in C�te d'Ivoire; 43.7 at 19.2 kg in Nigeria. Carcass composition: normal butchers carcass 43.1 per cent at 20.2 kg live weight in Cameroon, full stomachs and intestines 25.2, liver-kidneys-heart-lungs 4.7, head 8.1, feet 2.8, wet skin 7.3, testicles 0.9, losses (blood and urine) 7.9; 64.0/21.7/14.3 per cent lean/bone/fat in Nigeria.

Research. Institut s�n�galais des recherches agricoles, Laboratoire national de 1'elevage et de recherches v�t�rinaires, BP 2057, Dakar-Hann, Senegal (station research at Kolda and traditional systems research in Kolda area). Projet Petits Ruminants, BP 65, Atakpam�, Togo. Institut de recherches zootechniques, BP 1457, Yaound�, Cameroun. Societ� pour le D�veloppement de la Production Animale, BP 1249, Abidjan 01, C�te d'Ivoire. Programme national de selection ovine, Centre de recherches zootechniques, BP 1152, Bouak�, C�te d'Ivoire.

References. CRZ, 1957; Vallerand & Branckaert, 1975; Rombaut & van Vlaenderen, 1976; Berger & Ginisty, 1980; Dumas, 1980; Evans, Blunt & Southcott, 1983; Fall et al, 1983a; 1983b; Togo, 1983; Am�gee, 1983b; 1984d; Deciry, 1987; Francis, 1988; Hadzi, 1988b; ISRA, 1988; Armbruster, 1989; Hadzi, 1989; Thys, 1989.

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