scholarly journals The West African Dwarf Sheep II. Carcass Traits Mutton Quality

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-33
Author(s):  
A. Dettmers ◽  
J. K. Loosli ◽  
B. B. A. Taiwo ◽  
J. A. Nkemeatu
Keyword(s):  
Carcass Traits ◽  
West African ◽  
Temperate Zone ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
The West ◽  
Average Composition ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
Retail Cuts ◽  
West African Dwarf Sheep ◽  
Dwarf Sheep

CARCASSES of thirty African Dwarf ewes had a yield of 42.5%, about 5 mm backfat thickness and a loin eye of about 8cm2  Primal cuts made up 85% of the carcass. The best carcasses came from ewes slaughtered between two and four years of age. Average composition of retail cuts was 66.5% muscle, 26.5% bone and 7.0% fat. Young ewes were superior to young rams both in dressing percent (yield) and primal cuts. The ewes dressed 44% as compared to 40%; their retail cuts contained 67% muscle and 26% bone against 65% and 28% respectively for rams. Compared with mutton sheep of the temperate zone the West African Dwarf stand only 4/5 as high and are 2/3 long, while weighing only 1/4 to 1/3 that of European sheep. Yet the leg, the preferred cut, was 36% of the dressed carcass is compared to European mutton.

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

1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. O. Ngere ◽  
G. Aboagye
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
West African ◽  
The West ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Black Head ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Dwarf Type ◽  
West African Dwarf Sheep ◽  
Dwarf Sheep

ABSTRACTA 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.

scholarly journals OPTIMAL BREEDING AGE FOR THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP IN IBADAN

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 55-59
Author(s):  
L. O. Ngere ◽  
K. E. Akinuli ◽  
I .O. Adeleye
Keyword(s):  
West African ◽  
The West ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
Age At First Breeding ◽  
The University ◽  
University Of Ibadan ◽  
West African Dwarf Sheep ◽  
Dwarf Sheep ◽  
Ibadan Nigeria

Observations on the age at first breeding of West African Dwarf Sheep at the University of Ibadan. Nigeria showed that the optimal age and weight at 1st breeding of young ewes was not less than eleven months and at least 13kg respectively When mated earlier, the incidence of abortion in­creased and lambs tended to the smaller at birth. In ewes mated at older ages the lengthening of the generation internal was unacceptable. The relalionuship between weight (4 ) and age (X) from four to 56 weeks was estitnated as: Y (kg)      = 3.12 + 9.62 x — 0.02 x 2 + 0.0002 x 3 for singles. or    Y  =2.59 + 0.46 x = 0.01 x2 + 0.0001 x 3 for Mins.

Body dimensions of Nigerian cattle, sheep and goats

1991 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. G. Hall
Keyword(s):  
West African ◽  
Body Proportions ◽  
The West ◽  
Body Dimensions ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
The North ◽  
West African Dwarf Goat ◽  
West African Dwarf Sheep ◽  
Dwarf Sheep

ABSTRACTOne hundred and thirty-six multiparous cows, 63 goats and 71 sheep were measured in breeding flocks and herds in Nigeria. The humped cattle breeds, and the large-bodied, humpless Kuri, are narrow-bodied and tall in relation to their length when compared with British breeds. Pelvic dimensions are small. The sheep and goats native to the coastal and middle belts (the West African Dwarf breeds) are miniature versions of those found in the north. Neither appears to be achondroplasic but dwarfing seems to have proceeded differently in the two species in that the adult West African Dwarf goat is similar in its relative body proportions to the adult northern goat, implying a proportional miniaturization. The West African Dwarf sheep appears to be a neotenous form with body proportions similar to those of an immature sheep.

scholarly journals The West African Dwarf Sheep I. Reproductive Performance and Growth

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-147
Author(s):  
A. Dettmers ◽  
C. A. Igoche ◽  
K. Akinkuolie
Keyword(s):  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
West African ◽  
The West ◽  
West African Dwarf ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
The University ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Better Than ◽  
West African Dwarf Sheep ◽  
Dwarf Sheep

THE study of the West African Dwarf flock at the University of Ibadan revealed that these sheep under moderately improved management, but without a breeding and selection programe were considerably better than they have been generally given credit for. West African Dwarf ewes are prolific and early maturing. The sheep are small and have finished their growth by the age of two years. Average daily gain up to three months was 85 g and from three months to two years, 31 g. Mortality of lambs with 20% up to three months of age, however, is still too high and should be reduced by improved pest and disease control.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document