Open AccessREPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP AND GOATS AT VILLAGE LEVEL IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Author(s) -
S.S. Abiola,
C. F. I. Onwuka
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v25i1.2246
Subject(s) - ogun state , litter , biology , body weight , birth weight , zoology , veterinary medicine , reproduction , geography , agronomy , ecology , pregnancy , medicine , local government , genetics , archaeology , endocrinology
Reproductive performance of 20 pregnant ewes and 20 pregnant does of West African Dwarf breeds at village level in Ogun State, Nigeria were compare in a study which lasted for 8 months. Litter size in ewes was 1.50 while that of does was 1.85. the number of males produced by the two species out-numbered that of females. However, multiple birth were higher in goat that in sheep. Results of birth weights and body weight of lambs and kids at 3 month of age were significantly different (P < 0.05). Lambs were heavier at birth with overall mean birth weight of 2.00kg compared with 1.48kg recorded for kids. At the age of 3 monthes the overall body weight of lamb was 10.38kg while that of kid was 7.61kg. mortality in lamb was 23.33% as against 10.81% in kids. Effective management system of West African Dwarf sheep and goats at village level before and after birth will improve the reproductive efficiency of the species