The Reproductive Performance of the Nigerian Dwarf Sheep

Abstract

Three of the most important parameters of reproduction in sheep, the age at first lambing, the lambing interval and the number of lambs born per ewe at each lambing, were analysed from the herdbook of the breeding flock of the University of Ibadan for the period-1968 to 1974. The means were as follows: 

1. age at first lambing:        424.9 (310-692) days

2. Lambing interval:            234.4 (151-571) days

3. number of lembs at birth  1.4 (1-3)

Of the 663 lambings, recorded, 38 percent resulted in twins and 4 percent in triplets. The percentage of multiple births increased with the number of lambings an ewe had completed. The wide ranges in performance indicate that there is scope for improvement of the reproductive potential of this breed of sheep through improved management and or through selection.