West African Dwarf (sheep)
Encyclopedia
West African Dwarf is a domesticated breed of sheep and is the dominant breed from southwest to central Africa
. This breed is primarily raised for meat.
On average, ewes produce 1.15 to 1.50 lambs per lambing. This breed grows slowly as evaluated in Nigeria in the last 1970s. The overall growth rates from 0-90, 91-150 and 151–350 days old were 74, 49 and 33 g/day, respectively.. This breed is also highly tolerant of trypanosome
. This breed is thought to go into oestrus throughout the year.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. This breed is primarily raised for meat.
Characteristics
The West African Dwarf is generally black piebald on white. However, tan piebald on white and the blackbelly pattern are found. Rams weigh approximately 37 kg (81.6 lb), have a well-developed throat ruff and are horned. Ewes weigh about 25 kg (55.1 lb) and are usually polled (hornless).On average, ewes produce 1.15 to 1.50 lambs per lambing. This breed grows slowly as evaluated in Nigeria in the last 1970s. The overall growth rates from 0-90, 91-150 and 151–350 days old were 74, 49 and 33 g/day, respectively.. This breed is also highly tolerant of trypanosome
Trypanosoma
Trypanosoma is a genus of kinetoplastids , a monophyletic group of unicellular parasitic flagellate protozoa. The name is derived from the Greek trypano and soma because of their corkscrew-like motion. All trypanosomes are heteroxenous and are transmitted via a vector...
. This breed is thought to go into oestrus throughout the year.