Birthweight, good mothering and survival in the Nigerian small ruminants

Abstract

In this study,birthweight, good mothering and survival in the Nigerian small ruminants were examined using a questionnaire administered by enumerators. Sheep and goat farmers in Nigeria were the respondents. In the year 1988, Nigeria had only 21 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with each states having different number of local government areas. A total of four hundred and forty nine Local Government Areas were used in this study. Five villages were randomly sampled from each Local Government Area and five questionnaires were administered to five randomly selected farmers in each village. In sheep Yankasa (5.43%) had the highest birth weight and it was lowest in Balami (2.51%). Sahel goat (5.24%) had the highest birth weight than West African Dwarf (3.87%) and Red Sokoto (3.33%). Good mothering attribute was more in Uda (7.90%), Balami (7.56%), Yankasa (7.08%) sheep and WAD goat (5.17%). Survival rate was highest in Yankasa sheep (7.95%) and WAD goat (5.86%). From this study therefore, selection could be made for Yankasa, Uda sheep and sahel, WAD goat in a meat enterprise for this attribute – birth weight, good mothering, survival were found to be excellent in this breed of sheep and goat.Keywords: Yankasa, birthweight, good mothering, survival rate.