DAGRIS

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/66628

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 853

Performance and physical body measurement of Abergell sheep breed in traditional management system of Tigray Regional State, northern Ethiopia
(Journal Article, 2011) Tajebe, S.; Gangwar, S.K.; Kebede, K.
The study was conducted to observe the performance and physical characteristics of Abergell sheep breed. The survey was made by selecting 110 households found in six peasant association from the Tanqa Abergelle Tigray regional state district using systemic random sampling procedure. Each household was interviewed by semi-structured questioner developed to gather information on feed and feeding, disease and parasite, reproduction and breeding. The physical characteristics of the breed was identified by selecting 222 sheep for the measurements of height at withers, girth circumference, ear length, body weight and physical observation for hair color and horn was recorded. Prior to analysis the sampled sheep are classified in to three groups based on availability of permanent incisors as one, two, and three pair of permanent teeth. Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were applied to develop and predict equations for body weight of animals using each of the linear body measurements separately or in combination. The Study result showed that in the district on average 14.02 sheep 3.4, cattle and 11.65 goats are owned by the sampled households and in the last 10 years the average livestock per household is decreasing. the sampled farmers hold relatively greater female (72.5%) sheep than male sheep and the ratio of male to female animals having age greater than 12 months was 1:4.87. breeding in most of the case is uncontrolled breeding and sheep give birth on average 2 lambs per year and first lambing was found to be occur at 13 – 16 month of age. The study on morphological characteristics of the breed showed that 66.2 %have dark red hair color 13.1 % white and the remaining 20.7 % have a color of spotted with red white and black. The average height at withers and live body weight of males is greater than females in all age categories, but the variability is not statistically significant. A positive correlation coefficient of body weight and linear body measurement (height at withers and girth length) was obtained in this breed.
Indigenous animal genetic resources in Sri Lanka. Status, potential and opportunities
(Book, 2011-04) Silva, P.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean. Due to its geographical location and position, most parts of the country are hot and humid. Based on the annual rainfall, elevation, soil and on terrain condition, 46 agro-ecological zones could be identified within the island. The farming systems widely vary according to the agro-ecological conditions prevailing in different areas of the country. In order to meet various human needs such as food and draught power, farm animals have been used throughout the country. In Sri Lanka few species of animals are raised as farm animals including four major mammalian species, namely neat cattle, buffaloes, pigs and goats. Chicken is the most common avian species reared. Other than these species several other livestock and avian species such as sheep, rabbit, duck and quails are also raised under different environment and management systems. Agriculture is an important sector in the country where 30% of the land area is used for agriculture, most of which are smallholdings. In this context however, livestock plays a secondary role where crop cultivation is the dominant sector. The contribution of the livestock sector to the national GDP is 1.2% whereas that of total agriculture sector is 5.6%. According to the value of representation in GDP livestock plays a minor role though, it provides a source of occupation for a considerable population in the rural sub-sector of the country. The farm animals in Sri Lanka can be categorized into three major groups namely locally adapted and recently introduces and continually imported breeds. Out of the three categories, locally adapted breeds are the most threatened as their populations are gradually decreasing. Among the factors contributing to this diminishing trend, lack of information on the proper evaluation of local breeds is the main factor. Wild relatives of three major farm animal species, namely buffalo, pig and chicken inhabit the wildlife protected areas and the surroundings. Other than those wild species the wild relatives of quails and ducks could also be found in scrub jungles in all parts of the country. In the case of buffaloes and pigs, there is definite gene flow from the wild relatives to domesticated indigenous varieties in certain localities where there is a direct contact between wild relatives and domestic animals. In the case of jungle fowl, which is endemic to Sri Lanka there are no concrete evidence for such an interaction in breeding. Generally, most of the breeds of farm animals are widely distributed all over the country. However, population density is not even in all the provinces. Pigs are mostly found in the western coast of the country. Buffaloes are distributed in lowland areas and highly dense in central part of the country. The distribution of cattle is very distinct as the European pure breeds and their crossbreds are distributed in central hills and wet area of the country whereas exotic tropical crosses and indigenous varieties are found in dry lowland areas. Comparatively higher number of goats is found in dry lowlands, mostly in remote rural areas. Comparatively higher number of goats is found in dry lowlands, mostly in remote rural areas. The pattern of distribution of poultry is highly influenced by the number of commercial type birds. However, village chickens (the indigenous types) are found throughout the island under backyard system of rearing. Since livestock is an integral component in the agriculture sector of the country several livestock production systems could be identified. In most of these production systems, livestock is represented as a co-component or subcomponent within the system since the whole production system is crop based, mainly paddy. The role of the livestock in these farming systems vary according to the level of input of the livestock for the whole system and nature of service that it provides for the sustainability of the system. When the change of population size of different farm animal species is considered, the records of past few years demonstrate diminishing trends in almost all the major species except poultry. In the case of chicken and ducks the trends is towards slight increase. However, there are no separate statistics available for any of the indigenous species, hence the population trends of this category cannot be assessed or quantified. However, the general perception is that the indigenous categories are shrinking or phasing out gradually. The indigenous livestock categories posses many valuable characteristics such as high adaptability, high resistance to common disease, high fecundity, early maturity, good mothering ability, longivity etc. Ability to produce at low input level is the most unique feature demonstrated by all categories of indigenous livestock. However, the preference of the farmer demonstrated by all categories of indigenous livestock. However, the preference of the farmer towards indigenous livestock categories depends mainly on two factors, namely availability of resources and availability of marketing opportunities. There are many risks factors operating against the sustainability and the survival of the indigenous livestock categories. These factors include the pressure for high productivity/ high output levels, agricultural development/ settlement schemes, change of farming systems, fluctuation of market values, shrinkage of habitats, and change of systems of farming / farm operations and war and natural disasters. The present status and, trends in population size and utilization pattern of indigenous categories of farm animals reveal that the indigenous animals need a far better attention and consideration at national level development and planning programs than at present.
Indigenous sheep resources of Ethiopia: Types, production systems and farmers preferences
(Journal Article, 2008-04) Gizaw, Solomon; Komen, Hans; Hanotte, Olivier H.; Arendonk, Johan A.M. van
Ethiopia has a diverse sheep population, numbering 23.6 million, in parallel with its diverse ecology, production systems and communities. A comprehensive phenotypic and genetic characterization of Ethiopian sheep populations was initiated in 2005 to provide a nationwide framework for the management of sheep genetic resources. In this paper, we describe the indigenous sheep types in terms of physical characteristics, eco-regional distribution and community affinity. We also present relationships of sheep types with agricultural production systems, and farmers'/pastoralists' assessment of their sheep types. Fourteen traditionally recognized sheep types were identified and physically described.The sheep types could be categorized into four groups (sub-alpine short-fat-tailed, highland long-fat-tailed, lowland fat-rumped and lowland thin-tailed) based on their ecological distribution, tail types (fat-tail versus thin-tail), tail form/shape, and fiber type. There is high morphological and ecological diversity among the major sheep groups as well as among the sheep types. There is also a strong relationship between sheep types, ethnic groups and production systems. Assessment of the genetic distinctiveness of the traditional sheep types is important for developing rational conservation-based improvement programs. Molecular genetic assessment of the population structure is a follow up activity.
Environmental and genetic parameters of growth, reproductive and survival performance of Afar and blackhead Somali sheep at Werer Agricultural Research Centre, Ethiopia
(Conference Paper, 2008) Yacob, Y.
Data collected on flocks of Afar (1976 to 1991) and Black Head Somali (1977 to 1987) at Were research center were used to study the effect of environmental factors on ewe reproductive performance, lamb survival and early growth traits (Birth, weaning, six month and yearling and pre and post-weaning daily gain) in addition genetic analyses were carried out to estimate genetic parameters (heritability, repeatability and genetic and phenotypic correlations) for early growth traits. General linear model procedures were used in the non-genetic analysis using a linear model that included the effect of year, sex, type of birth, parity, ewe age, and ewe and sire body weights at mating and their possible interactions for all traits plus regressions on age at weaning, six-month and yearling weights. AIREML procedures were used to estimate variance covariance components and genetics parameters. The results indicated that year of birth, sex, breed, type of birth and parity of dam had significant (P>0.01) effect on all early growth traits studied, except that the effect of breed on pre-weaning included in the model as a covariate was significant (P<0.01) on weaning, six-month and yearling weights. The effect of parity on post-weaning daily weight gain and weight gain from six-month to yearling was not statistically significant (P>0.05) but was only significant (P<0.001) on pre-weaning average daily weight gain. No significant interaction effect was observed. The average lamb body weights a birth, weaning, six-months and yearling weights. The effect of parity on post-weaning daily weight gain and weight gain from six-month to yearling was not statistically significant (P>0.05) but was only significant (P<0.001) on pre-weaning average daily weight gain. No significant interaction effect was observed. The average lamb body weight at birth, weaning, six-months and yearling were 2.6±0.02; 11.0±0.11 and 23.8±0.16 kg respectively. The corresponding estimates for average daily weight gain were 98.2±0.96g, 56.8±0.87g and 37.5±0.71g for birth to weaning (pre-weaning), weaning to six-months, and six-month to yearling age (post-weaning), respectively. On average, Afar lambs were significantly (P<0.001) heavier at birth, weaning, six-month and yearling and gaining more during the post weaning period than BHS lambs, although both lamb breeds had similar (P>0.05) pre-weaning growth rates. At all stages male lambs had significantly higher (P<0.001) growth rates and were consistently heavier (P<0.001) by 0.2, 1.0, 2.6 and 3.1 kg than female at birth, weaning, six-month and yearling and gained more during the post weaning period than BHS lambs, although both lamb breeds had similar (P>0.05) pre-weaning growth rates. At all stages male lambs had significantly higher (P<0.001) growth rates and were consistently heavier (P<0.001) by 0.2, 1.0, 2.6 and 3.1 kg than females at birth, weaning, six-month and yearling, respectively. Lambs born from ewes of first parity were significantly (P<0.001) lighter than those born from ewes of second to seventh parity at birth while lambs born from ewes of first and seventh parity at weaning, six-month and yearling, respectively. Lambs born as singles were significantly (P<0.001) heavier at birth weaning, six-month and yearling and gained significantly (P<0.001) more weight than their contemporary twin-born lambs respectively. Ewe fertility (ewes mated or ewes lambing, each expressed as a percentage of ewes joined) and fecundity (lambs born as a percentage of ewes joined) were significantly (P<0.001) influenced by breed of ewe, year of mating and ewe weight at mating. The effect of these sources of variations on lambing rate (ewes lambing/ewes mated) and lambing percentage (lambs born/ewe lambing) was not statistically significant (P>0.05) except, year of mating which had a highly significant (P<0.001) effect on both reproductive traits. Ewe weight at mating had no significant (P<0.005) influence on any of the reproductive traits were 71.1±1.45%, 68.8±1.50 and 71.2±1.70% for fertility1 (whether a ewe mated or not), fertlity2 (whether a ewe lambed or not) and fecundity, respectively. Afar ewes showed higher (P<0.001) reproductive performances were observed in ewes with less or equal to 20kg body weight at mating (in both breeds) as compared to ewes with body weights heavier than 20 kg. Beyond 20 kg body weight, all traits of reproductive performance increased up to the maximum point in ewes weighing 30 to 35 kg then start to decline beyond 35kg body weight except for lambing rate and lambing percentage which had consistently increased even beyond 35kg body weight. Ewe fertility and fecundity traits increased significantly for ram weight groups beyond 30 – 35 kg, reaching a peak at 35 – 40kg body weight and then started to decline beyond 40kg. Effects of breed, year of lambing, type of birth and lamb birth weight as a covariate, had a significant (P<0.001) effect on lamb survival at different stages of growth up to yearling. At all stages of growth lamb survival was not significantly affected (P>0.05) by parity of ewe or by sex of lamb, except that, the effect of sex on lambs had significantly higher (P<0.001) rate of survival than BHS lambs was 82.0±1.01% at 90 days, 78.5±1.14% at 180 days and 74.2±1.30%at 365 days of age. After lambs had significantly higher (P<0.001) rate of survival than BHS lambs at all stages up to yearling age. Although the differences in survival rate at all stages up to 270 days of age between male and female lambs were not statistically significant (P>0.05), the values were slightly higher for female lambs as compared to their contemporary males. Single born lambs had shown significantly (P<0.001) higher rate of survival at all stages up to yearling than twin born lambs. Univariate genetic analysis for afar sheep revealed that direct heritability estimates range from 0.12 to 0.37 for birth weight, 0.11 to 0.37 for weaning weight, 0.15 to 0.33 for six-month weight and 0.21 to 0.28 for yearling weight. Higher maternal heritability were obtained for birth and weaning weight than for six-month and yearling weight. Bivariate analyses was done to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations among the various growth traits. Birth weight has sizeable genetic correlations with weaning, six-month and yearling weight. Since birth weight has significant effect on survival, selection for birth weight can bring significant improvement on overall productivity.
Genetic and phenotypic parameters of body weight in west African dwarf goat and Djallonke sheep. In Genetic improvement of livestock in Tsetse infested areas in west Africa
(Book Chapter, 2006) Bosso, N.A.; Cisse. M.F.; Waaij, E.H. van der; Fall, Abdou; Arendonk, Johan A.M. van
The International Trypanotolerance Centre’s small ruminant breeding meat production and the trypanotolerance of the animals (sheep and goat) To achieve that goal, selection was based on estimated breeding values for daily weight gain from 4 to 12 months of age measured on trypanotolerance challenge. The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for growth traits and to evaluate genetic trends in west African Dwarf goat and Djallonke sheep for West African Dwarf Goat and Djallonke sheep included birth weight (BW), weaning weight (W120), yearling weight (W360), Pre-weaning (GRO-4) and post-weaning (GR4-12) growth rate. The data were analysed using an animal model that accounted for fixed effects of sex, year of birth, season of birth, parity of the dam, type of birth and the interaction year by season of birth. Estimates of heritability for BW, W120, W360, GR0-4 and GR4-12 were 0.5, 0.43, 0.32 and 0.11for goats and 0.39, 0.54, 0.21, 0.54 and 0.23 for sheep, respectively. The genetic correlation between BW and W120 was high for goats (0.74) and moderate for sheep (0.47). Genetic correlations between W120 and GR4-12 were high (0.92) for goats and moderate (0.49) for sheep. Between GR0-4 and BW the correlation was positive but low for sheep (0.26) and moderate for goats (0.60). Positive trends were found in mean estimated breeding values for animals born in the period 1995-2002, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the implemented breeding programs.
The N'Dama cattle genetic improvement programme: A review
(Journal Article, 2007-04) Bosso, N.A.; Corr, N.; Njie, M.; Fall, Abdou; Waaij, E.H. van der; Arendonk, Johan A.M. van; Jaitner, J.; Dempfle, L.; Agyemang, K.
This paper reviews the successful N’Dama cattle genetic improvement programme implemented in a low input productions system at the International Trypanotolerance Centre (ITC) in 1994, in the Gambia. The first part of the paper presents the genetic improvement programme. The second part deals with the analysis of the genetic improvement programme expressed through genetic progress and the benefits for the farmers is encouraging. Recommendation process in the field are made.
Phenotypic characterization and production performance of local pigs under village settings in the southern highland zone, Tanzania
(Journal Article, 2005-04) Mbaga, S.H.; Lymo, C.M.; Kifaro, G.C.; Lekule, F.P.
Indigenous pigs in Tanzania are descendants of earlier European introductions. However, a lack of systematic breeding plans, poor husbandry practices, genetic drift and possibly mutation have led to pigs of varied phentypes. A study undertaken in Mbeya region showed that the predominant management system practiced was free ranging and occasionally tethering. The average mature body weights for boars and sows were 57.4 kg and 54 gk, respectively. Coat colour varied, but the predominant colours were white (28%), black and white (24%), and solid black (19.8%). The majority (78%)of pigs had droopy ears and such pigs were found to be significantly (P<0.01) heavier with a longer trunk and increased body length when compared with those with erect ears. Other features include a long and straight face and short curled tail. The overall mean birth weight was 0.9kg while the mean weaning weight was 10.8 kg. The average litter size for local pigs was 6.6 piglets and litter size at weaning was 4.3 piglets. Locally raised pigs served a number of functions including among others, income, provision of meat, cooking fat and manure.
On-farm phenotypic characterization of Sheko breed of cattle and their habitat in Bench Maji zone, Ethiopia
(Thesis, 2005) Teye, T.
This study was initiated in response to the national concern emerged on the current status of the distinctive, however, endangered Brachyceros group of cattle, Sheko breed, for effective utilization in food and agriculture production. The objectives of the study were: 1) to undertake on-farm phenotypic characterization of Sheko breed of cattle in their natural habitat; 2) to assess the population trend; 3) to assess trait and breed preferences of the community and 4) to document some husbandry practices and constraints in utilization of the breed. The field study was carried out in Bench Maji Zone, southwestern Ethiopia, which is the main natural breeding tract of Sheko cattle. Purposive sampling was employed as sampling technique. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, field observations of animals and secondary data collection were employed to generate the data. Statistical Analysis System software was employed to analyze the data. The geographical distribution of Sheko cattle is generally restricted mainly to Bench Maji Zone and partly in the adjoining parts of Kaffa and Shaka Zones. The current population of Sheko cattle is estimated to be about 4040, which is far less compared to the previous estimates. This indicates that the Sheko cattle population is decreasing. The identified main threats to the survival of Sheko cattle were interbreeding with Zebu cattle, scarcity of feed resources and shrinkage of grazing land, lack of conservation program, lack of reliable information on the actual status of the breed and lack of interest by the community owing to the aggressive behavior of this breed. Sheko cattle do have specific morphological appearance, which can be utilized in identifying this breed. Polledness is common in Sheko cattle. They are generally short and have compact body. Their eyes are prominent and have folded eyelid. They have broad and short horizontally oriented ears. Their muzzle is broad and their facial profile is predominantly straight. They are alert and strong. They have small cervico-thoracic hump. The coat color is dominated by red with glossy appearance. The average linear body measurement taken on a total of 167 female animals for chest girth, body length, height at withers and pelvic width was 136.5, 110.2, 99.4 and 33.5cm respectively, averages of these variables for 46 males were 141.2, 114.6, 103.6 and 32.8 cm, respectively. The reported average age at maturity in male and female Sheko cattle were 41.6 and 42.1 months, respectively and the associated average age at first calving was 54.1 months. The average reproductive lifespan of a cow was reported to be 14.7 years with a total average calf-crop of 8.3. The mean calving interval was reported to be 15.6 months. Bulls were said to have average reproductive lifespan of 6.5 years. The males were castrated at an average age of 5.7 years. The reported average lactation milk yield was 698.3 liters with average lactation length of 9.9 months, with significant differences in lactation yield between herds in the Shei Bench with both Sheko and Bench districts. The Sheko ox on average starts ploughing at the age of 3.4 years with average work life of 8.5 years. In terms of breed preferences, 43.2 percent of the respondents made Sheko their breed of choice, and milk production was the most frequently (49.6%) preferred trait, followed by breeding efficiency (20.8%). In spite of these special qualities the breed is under serious threat and hence an integrated and community driven participatory in-situ and ex-situ conservation and genetic improvement program of the Sheko breed is proposed to reverse the present genetic erosion of the breed, which otherwise threatens its mere existence.
Genetic parameters for growth traits in N'Dama cattle under Tsetse challenge in The Gambia. In Genetic improvement of livestock in Tsetse infested areas in west Africa
(Book Chapter, 2006) Bosso, N.A.; Waaij, E.H. van der; Agyemang K.A.; Arendonk, Johan A.M. van
Heritabilities and correlations for growth traits in N'Dama cattle under tsetse challenge were estimated using an animal model. Animals were born and weaned in a low to medium tsetse challenge area and, after weaning at 12 months of age, they were transported to a high tsetse challenge area until three years of age. Measurements included body weight and growth rate during seasons from 12 to 36 months of age. Two seasons were defined: the dry season from November to June representing the period of feed shortage and low tsetse fly density; and the wet season from June to November where sufficient feed was available and the tsetse density was the highest. Heritabilities for body weight ranged from 0.28 for body weight at 36 months of age to 0.48 for body weight at 15 months of age. For growth rate, the heritability was 0.09 during the dry season and 0.15 during the wet season. Genetic correlations of birth weight with body weight at 12 and 15 months of age were moderately high (0.49 and 0.51, respectively). Genetic correlations between most body weights and growth rates during seasons ranged from –0.40 to 0.80. The genetic trend due to the selection programme was highest for body weight at 36 months of age from 1994 to 2004. For growth traits, an increasing genetic trend was observed in growth between 15 and 36 months of age and in growth during the dry season from 12 to 36 months of age. It was concluded that selection for growth should focus on growth during dry and wet seasons. Keywords: genetic correlation, genetic trend, heritability, selection, tropical cattle.
Small ruminant breeds in Algeria. In Characterization of small ruminat breeds in West Asia and North Africa
(Book Chapter, 2005) Laaziz, D.M.
Indigenous cattle genetic resources, their husbandry practices and breeding objectives in North-western Ethiopia
(Thesis, 2004) Wuletaw, Z.
Phenotypic as well as genetic characterization of indigenous livestock genetic resources provides the basis for any livestock development intervention. However, in Ethiopia, little attention has been given to identify, characterize and conserve the diversity of the various livestock breed types. It is with this understanding that the present study was initiated and conducted in North and South Gondar zones with the view to characterize indigenous cattle breeds/population, identify.’ the main problems, and outline intervention for genetic improvement of the identified breed populations based on farmer trait preferences. Six sample sites were selected based on initial rapid survey conducted at the start of the study. Three defferent survey techniques; namely focus group discussion, administration of semi—structures questionnaires on husbandiy practices and indicative production and reproduction performance, and phenotypic distance measurements were employed. Findings of the focus group revealed that each of the cattle breed types of the respective study sites were markedly dfferent in phenotypic characteristics. Findings from the semi-structured interviews revealed that the indigenous cattle breed types are multipurpose production and input functions, adapted to wide range of environments, and managed under traditional and largely subsistent mode of production. Furthermore, farmers were interested to improve their local genotypes and suggested different target traits for improvement. Based on these farmers traits preferences village breeding scheme is proposed through the provision of genetically selected breeding bulls. Overall lactation length, and average daily milk yield of this study are higher than national average figures of 1.17 litre per day and 6.33 months, respectively. Reported figures for age at first calving from the different study sites have been found longer than the overall estimated value for Bos indicus. The over all mean value of 14.5 years for longevity exceeds the figure for most African cattle of 10 to 13 years. The reported critical constraints of traditional cattle production were seasonal feed shortage, high disease challenges, weak infrastructure, lack or shortage of working capital, weak cattle markets and cattle raiding. For a phenotypic distance study a total of 1623 sample animals were recorded and ident ified by sex, dentition, and some discrete variables. Linear measurements on 12 traits were taken from 708 female and 146 male mature animals. Categorical body forms and types were recorded from these as well as the rest of the sample animals too. The general linear model was used to analyse variance on the 12 quantitative traits between sites for males and females separately. Tukey’s multiple comparison test showed that each of the 12 quantitative traits were highly significant (p<. 0001). The model filled for the male populations explained variation ranging from 35.2 to 67.2%, whereas the model explained 34.7 to 56.1% of the variation in the female population. For the categorical variables chi -square test was employed, and found, for most of the variables, highly significant (p<.0001,). Following this other statistics derived from the Pearson chi-square were used to measure the level of association. Furthermore, multiple mean comparisons were also made for these categorical variables using Bonferroni ‘s correction. Mulltivariate analyses were applied separately to females and males. The resultant discriminant function resulted in a hit ratio of 73.8 and 80.5% for female and male populations, respectively. Canonical discrimninant analysis for females and males showed highly significant (p<.0001) Mahalanobis distances between sites. The multivariate test for differences between the sites is also highly significant (p<.0001 ) in all of the four types of multivariate tests. The step-wise discriminant analysis for both male and female sample populations showed that all variables had highly significant (P<. 0001) contribution for explaining the variation in the model. Trees/phenogram constructed separately for male and female populations revealed the existence of four distinct clusters in both sexess. The tree topologies as well as the branch length somehow differ between the sexes. The reliability of the phenogram/dendrogram was tested by the bootstrap method and the result showed that both trees were supported by the high to moderate bootstrap values. In general both the categorical and quantitative variables have dfferentiated the sample populations in, to four to six different classes. Thus, indigenous cattle populations under traditional management in North Gondar as well as parts of South Gondar zones are heterogomzous populations divisible into distinct breed types based on phenotypic distance of some quantitative traits and analysis of qualitative variables.
Effect of inbreeding on birth and weaning weights and lamb mortality in a flock of Egyptian Baraki sheep
(Conference Paper, 2005) Alsheikh, S.
Productivity and reproductive performance of the free range local domestic fowl ecotypes in Tanzania
(Journal Article, 2004) Msoffe, P.L.M.; Mtambo, M.M.A.; Minga, U.M.; Olsen, J.E.; Juul-Madsen, H.R.; Gwakisa, P.S.; Mutayoba, S.K.; Katule, A.M.
A study was conducted to assess the productivity and reproductive performance of seven free-range local domestic fowl ecotypes in Tanzania named Ching'wekwe, Mbeya, Morogoro-medium, N'zenzegere, Pemba, Tanga and Unguja. Average weekly weight measurements and growth rates were evaluated for each ecotype and sex as was egg weight, fertility and hatchability. Significant differences existed between ecotypes in all the five parameters studied. Ching'wekwe showed consistently low mean weekly weights, daily growth rate and mean egg weight contrary to Morogoro-medium and Tanga ecotypes. Egg fertility was low with only N'zenzegere and Unguja ecotypes exceeding 75%. Hatchability was also low ranging from 55% (Ching'wekwe and Morogoro-medium) to 74% (Pemba). It was concluded that genetic and phenotypic diversity exists in the local domestic fowl ecotypes of Tanzania. The diversity constitutes a valuable resource for use in breeding programmes for improvement of the health and productivity of the local domestic fowls and in designing proper conservation strategies. Further studies are required to identify genetic markers associated with productivity and disease resistance within the local domestic fowl ecotypes. In depth studies on the performance of the Tanzanian medium ecotypes (Morogoro-medium and Tanga) is required to ascertain their suitability for promotion throughout the country.
Phenotypic characteristics of the Bonga sheep in Keffa Zone: Field mission Report
(Report, 2004) Markos, T.; Ginbar, T.
An investigation was made into the phenotypic characteristics of 192 (168 female and 24 male) Bonga sheep (aged from milk teeth to 4 pairs of permanent incisors) in the Keffa zone using a multi-stage cluster sampling technique to select the sampling units, the households. Based on indicated centre of distribution, the claimed large sheep population size and accessibility, two districts (namely Decha and Chena) were sampled out of the ten districts of the zone. Breed descriptors such as form and appearance, linear body measurements, body weight, scrotal circumference and images of animals were recorded. Adult castrate males with 4 pair of permanent incisors weighed 48 kg, compared to 32 kg for their counterpart ewes. Height at withers for males was 73 cm compared to 64 cm for females. Body length for males with 2 pair of permanent incisors was 69 cm and 63 cm for their female counterparts. Chest girth on the other hand, was 85 cm for males and 72 cm for females. Ear length varied considerably in length (from 4 to 11 cm with mean of 9.8±0.2 cm for females). The Bonga sheep have a characteristic fat-tail, which hangs just above or at the hocks. Tail length was 31 and 41 cm for female and males, respectively. Coat colour is predominantly plain light brown to dark brown (37%), creamy white (9%), and black (5%). As a combination, white with brown, black, or fawn constituted 44% while the combination of brown mainly with white and rarely with black is 39%, and black with white, brown, or fawn was 16%. They had shorthair (range 1.5 to 7.5 cm), some of them having slightly woolly undercoat. The sheep were polled with a slightly convex head profile. Wattle is absent except for 3% of the female sheep. Beard and ruff were absent in both sexes. Scrotal circumference ranged from 22–30 cm. This brief cross-sectional study revealed that the Bonga sheep is slightly different from the Horro by its morphological characteristics, the difference being more distinct in males than in females. A recently proposed study at a molecular genetic characterisation level will hopefully answer some vague areas.
Baseline study on; The status, trends and utilization of Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR)
(Book, 2004) Silva, G.L.P.; Dematawewa, C.M.B.; Chandrasiri, A.D.N.
Rural poultry production: Incubating capacity of broody hens and chick performance; comparison of growth rate and meat yield characteristics of cockerels between Fayoumi and Sonali
(Thesis, 2003) Islam, A. Md.
The poultry models of Bangladesh undertaken by the Smallholder Livestock Development Project (SLDP) and Participatory Livestock Development Project (PLDP) are almost the same. Both have the common key rearers, who are supposed to have 4 broody hens to incubate the exotic eggs. To generate the required information for the key rearers as well as other beneficiaries a study was conducted to determine the optimum number of eggs to be incubated under a broody hen. Two classes of broody hens, weighing 800-950 g and 950-1100 g, were used to incubate 8,11, 14 and 17 eggs under the traditional method in rural conditions of Bangladesh. Hatching eggs, from parents (Rhode Island Red a x Fayoumi), in average of 41.3 .t 2.77(SD) g and with a shape index on 66% were set under hens. No differences were round in hatchability % on fertile eggs among the different egg number groups and between the hen weight classes. But hatchability was apparently highest (87.4 %) for 14 eggs. Different number of eggs could not affect survivability of chicks, but hens of lower weight class had significantly higher chick survivability. Broody hens reduced their feed intake (wheat grain) by 40% and body weight by 12% during incubation period. Weight gain and the final body weight of chicks, fed on scavenging partially and commercial diet containing 11.9 to 12.3 MJ/kg ME, 19% CP and 3% CF, was highest in case of 8 eggs, lowest with 17 eggs and medium with 11 or 14 eggs of incubation. Total feed consumption of chicks among the egg number groups reduced with the increased number of chicks. The current study demonstrates that the statement 'The smaller the broody hens the lower the incubating capacity may not be true. Indigenous broody hens have the capacity of incubating (87.2% hatchability on fertile eggs) up to 17 eggs weighing in average of 41 g. It means that even the smaller sized broody hens ( 800- 950 g) have the capacity of incubating 80% (total 697 g eggs) of their average body weight (875 g). Broody hens of lower weight could protect the chicks better from predators, and thereby increased chick survivability up to 95.4%. However, incubation of 14 eggs by broody hens will be more profitable for the farmers of Bangladesh. There is a surplus of male chicks of Sonali and Fayoumi produced in the Government farms. For the meat production these cockerels could be used, which ultimately could make good income generating activities among the rural people. From this idea an experiment was carried out under village conditions by the farmers in confinement systems. To compare the growth rate and meat yield characteristics between Sonali and Fayoumi cockerels, two hundred four male birds were selected at the age of 8 weeks, an equal number of each breed divided into 6 replications containing 17 birds in each. Rise husk (8 cm thick) was used as a litter on 45 cm elevated floor, made of bamboos, from the ground. Floor space per bird was given 984 cm2. All birds were fed ad libitum commercial layer grower mash, a diet containing Metabolizable energy 11.9-12.1 (MJ/kg), crude protein 16% (min), crude fiber 5.0% (max), crude fat 4.5% (min), crude ash 6.0% (max), lysine 0.9% (min), methionine 0.3% (min), calcium 1.2% (min), available phosphorous 0.45% (min). Crossbred Sonali although were not significantly different from Fayoumi, but in case of body weight the differences were close to the significant level. Sonali was apparently superior in weight gain, feed efficiency and significantly higher in breast, leg and total meat percentage. Mortaliry was lower in sonali (7.8%) compared to Fayoumi (9.8%). It can be concluded that crossbred Sonali is performing better compared to purebred Fayoumi under the intensive system in the village conditions of Bangladesh.
Effect of introgressing dwarf gene from Bangladeshi indigenous to exotic breeds on egg production
(Journal Article, 2003-06-15) Yeasmin, T.; Howlider, M.A.R.; Ahammad, M.U.
An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of introgressing autosomal recessive dwarf gene (adw) from Bangladeshi indigenous (deshi) dwarf (DD) chicken to Rhode Island Red (RIR), White Leghorn (WLH) and Fayoumi (FO) on body weight and egg production. Deshi normal (DN), DD, RIR, WLH and FO were used in crossings to produce 8 genotypes; RIR, WLH, FO, DN, DD, RIR x DD, WLH x DD and FO x DD. At 19 weeks of age, for separation of crossbreds into normal and dwarf on the basis of shank length, altogether gave 11 genetic groups; RIR, WLH, FO, DN, DD, RIR x DD normal, WLH x DD normal, FO x DD normal, RIR x DD dwarf, WLH x DD dwarf and FO x DD dwarf. At 19 weeks of age, 154 pullets; 14 from each genetic group were individually caged up to 42 weeks of age to compare egg production performance. Introgression of adw gene significantly reduced mature body weight and feed intake and adw pullets utilized feed more efficiently into egg mass in comparison with their normal size counterparts. Conservation and improvement of deshi adw chicken is suggested for their future use in breeding for egg production.
Comparison of Red Maasai and Dorper sheep for resistance to gastro-intestinal nematode parasites productivity and efficiency in a humid and a semi-arid environment in Kenya
(Conference Paper, 2002) Baker, R.L.; Mugambi, J.M.M.; Audho, James O.; Carles, A.B.; Thorpe, W.R.
Disease resistance/tolerance, productivity and efficiency of Red Massai and Dorper sheep evaluated in experiments at the Kenya coast (humid environment) and the Kenya highlands (Semi-arid environment). There were important breed by location interactions for LWT, mortality rates and reproduction rates. When all these parameters were combined it was found more productive and efficient than Dorper sheep in humid coastal environment. In the semi-arid environment Dorper sheep were slightly more productive than the Red Maasai, but there was no significant difference in Flock efficiency between the breeds.
Characterization of smallholder pig production systems in mountainous area of North Vietnam
(Conference Paper, 2002) Lemke, U.; Thuy, L.T.; Zarate, A.V.; Kaufmann, B.; Vang, N.D.
Situation of farmers in Vietnam’s mountainous area is hampered by low and unsteady resource availability and less developed infrastructure. Smallholders seek to improve their livelihood by extending livestock husbandry with main focus on pig keeping. Local pig breeds are progressively replaced by genotypes with higher production potential. Keeping high yielding genotypes may generate higher revenues from pig production but also implies an economic risk for farmers due to higher input required. This study assesses the suitability of local pig breeds and introduced improved genotypes for smallholders in different production systems. Pig production intensity, farmers’ production aims and management strategies are described. Reproductive and production performances of genotypes are given. Out put from pig production is determined. Data collection was carried out in two research periods in 2001 and 2002 in North Vietnam, Son La province. Four selected villages of ethnic Black Thai cover a gradient from semi-intensive pig production in the mountain valley, near town to extensive pig production at the hillside, far from town. Research methods include structured household interviews, communication tools (from RRA methodology), recording production/ reproduction data and weighing pigs. Preliminary results show that near town farmers keep the introduced Mong Cai pig with relatively high performance. The more market-oriented pig production returns higher cash revenue, but requires higher production costs. Far from town, pig production fulfils mainly social functions. Farmers keep the local Ban pig with low performance and yield lower cash revenue, however, have lower production costs. Data analysis yielded factors influencing variation of productive/ reproductive performances on-farm and production inefficiency. The results are prerequisites fro the set up of on-farm performance testing and thereby for the determination of production efficiency of different pig genotypes in the production systems investigated.
Comparative study on milk compositions of cattle, sheep and goats in Nigeria
(Conference Paper, 2002) Malau-Aduli , A.E.O.; Anlade, Y.R.
Variations in the milk composition of Nigerian cattle, sheep and goats as well as residual phenotypic correlations between the milk constituents were investigated. The study utilized Bunaji, Yankasa and Red Sokoto breeds of cattle, sheep and goats, respect ively. Results indicated that sheep and goats differed significantly (P<0.05) from cattle in all constituents except protein percentage that averaged 5.43, 5.43 and 5.49%. Caprine milk contained the highest percentages of fat (5.80%), total solids (15.37%) and ash (0.77%), while bovine milk contained the least percentages of fat (0.68%) and lactose (1.84%). Overall, milk compositions of sheep and goats were very similar since they were not statistically different from each other (P>0.05). Residual phenotypi c correlations between the milk constituents revealed highly significant (P<0.01) and positive relationships between total solids and solids -not-fat (0.97 and 0.98 in cattle and sheep, respectively). All other correlations were positive (ranging from 0.12 to 0.77), except between protein and total solids (-0.44) and protein and solids-not-fat (-0.64) in cattle. Multiple linear regression equations were fitted to predict the percentages of protein and fat. It was demonstrated that protein percentage could be predicted from total solids and solids -not-fat with the highest accuracy of 94, 86 and 82 % in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. On the other hand, the accuracy of prediction of fat percentage was very low in all the species (R 2=0.01, 0.03 and 0.37 in cattle, sheep and goats, respectively) .

Browse

Recent Submissions