Comparative growth performance of Nigerian dwarf sheep and its crosses with Permer, Uda and Yankassa

Taiwo, B.B.A., Ngere, L.O. and Adelaye, I.O. 1982. Comparative growth performance of Nigerian dwarf sheep and its crosses with Permer, Uda and Yankassa. World Review of Animal Production 18(1): 57-63.

Pure Nigerian Dwarf sheep (NDS) ewes were randomly assigned to rams of four breeds – NDS, Permer (p), Uda (U) and yankasa (Y). The mating periods were arranged so that lambings occurred either douring the early rainy season (ERS) or the early dry season (FDS). The lambs resulting from the matings were identified, kept together and creep fed a concentrate ration containing 19% crude protein from 3 weeks until 3 months. There after, the sexes were kept separately and fed a concentrate ration containing 14% crude protein. Records of survival and weights at birth, 3,6,9 and 12 months were used in this study. Genotype of lamb was the second most important factor at birth, being lower in importance only to birth type. It also remained the most important source of variation in weights at 0,6 and 12 months. The maximum growth of lamb occurred preweaning (0-3 months). Crossbred ram lambs were significantly (p