Production Performance Of Sheep At Two Locations In Bauchi State Of Nigeria

Abstract

The performance of Yankasa, Uda and Balami sheep were assessed using 312 birth weights weaning weights and growth data from Kaltungo and birth weights and growth data from Bauchi in Bauchi State between
1984 and 1990. The average birth weights of Yankasa, Uda and Salami lambs in Kaltungo were 2.5, 3.1 and 3.0kg respectively. The birth weight of 2.4kg for Yankasa lambs in Bauchi however was not significantly different from the birth weight of Yankasa lambs in Kaltungo. The effects of breed of lamb (P< 0.05), year (P < 0.01) season (P< 0.01) and type of birth (P < 0.01) on birth weight in Kaltungo were significant, while the effect of sex of lamb was not. The growth of lambs from birth to 12 months in Bauchi is described by the equation. Y = 4.59 + 0.82 x 0.0067x² (R² = 0.85) Tbe weaning weights of Yankasa. Uda and 8alami lambs in Kaltung were 14.0, 14.6 and 14.7kg respectively. Season of lambing sex and type or birth did not have appreciable effect on weaning weight; however, the effects or year or lambing and breed were significant (P< 0.001) The average age at first lambing for Yankasa, Uda and Balami sheep in Kaltungo were, 16.5, 16.2 and 16.9 months respectively. These lambing ages, however, were not significantly different. Similarly, their corresponding lambing intervals or 306, 344.8 and 329.8 days were significantly different. The lambing rates calculated from the lambing intervals were, Yankasa 1.19. Uda 1.06 and Balami 1.1.0. The lambing rate of 1.44 for Yankasa sheep in Bauchi however was higher (P< 0.05) than those of sheep breeds in Kallungo.

Keywords: Sheep, production performance, Baudi state