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Typical features, characterization and breeding objectives of Begait sheep in Ethiopia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 September 2012

B. Amare ,
A. Kefyalew  and
M. Zeleke
B. Amare*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bhair Dar University, PO Box 2145, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
A. Kefyalew
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bhair Dar University, PO Box 2145, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
M. Zeleke
Affiliation:
Debre Tabore Univerity, Debre Tabore, Ethiopia
*
Correspondence to: B. Amare, Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bahir Dar University, PO. Box 2145, Ethiopia. email: amare.kidane06@gmail.com
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Summary

Typical features, breeding objectives and morphological as well as biometrical characters of Begait sheep breed were studied in two districts (Setit Humera and Kafta Humera) of Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaires, recording body weight, linear body measurements and field observations were employed. Begait sheep breed is described as long and thin tailed (up to 50-cm long), with muscular body, short and smooth hair and polled for both male and female sexes. As reported by the respondents’ growth rate (0.21), tail length (0.20), appearance/conformation (0.19) and coat colour (0.18) were the most important traits in selecting breeding rams. For breeding ewes’ body size (0.27), age at first service (0.15), growth rate (0.14) and coat colour and tail (0.13) were their first, second, third and fourth traits, respectively. Sites and age had significant (P < 0.01) effect on body weight and most linear body measurements. Relatively, Kafta Humera had lower values in body weight and most of the linear body measurements than Setit Humera. The overall mean body weight and body length of female Begait sheep were 31.4 ± 0.4 kg and 62.5 ± 0.5 cm, respectively. The corresponding values for male Begait sheep were 34.5 ± 0.5 kg and 66.1 ± 0.5 cm, respectively. The existing traditional herding, breeding practices and trait preferences are the key breeding components that need improvement at smallholder farmers’ in Ethiopia.

Résumé

Les caractéristiques, les objectifs de sélection et les caractères morphologiques et biométriques des moutons Begayit ont été étudiés dans deux districts (Setit Humera et Kafta Humera) de l’Éthiopie en utilisant des questionnaires semi-structurés, l'enregistrement du poids corporel et des mensurations du corps et des observations sur le terrain. Les moutons Begayit possèdent une queue longue et mince (jusqu’à 50 cm de longueur), un corps musclé, des poils courts et lisses et, les mâles autant que les femelles, n'ont pas de cornes. Les interviewés ont signalé que le taux de croissance (0.21), la longueur de la queue (0.20), l'aspect/conformation (0.19) et la couleur de la robe (0.18) représentaient les caractères les plus importants dans la sélection des béliers reproducteurs. Pour ce qui concerne les brebis reproductrices, la taille du corps (0.27), l’âge à la première mise bas (0.15), le taux de croissance (0.14) et la robe et la queue (0.13) étaient respectivement le premier, le deuxième, le troisième et le quatrième caractère d'importance. L'emplacement et l’âge influencent (P < 0.01) le poids et la plupart des mensurations du corps. Les moutons du district Kafta Humera présentaient des valeurs concernant le poids et les mensurations du corps relativement plus faibles que les moutons du district de Setit Humera. Les moyennes générales du poids et de la longueur du corps des femelles Begayit étaient respectivement de 31.4 ± 0.4 kg et de 62.5 ± 0.5 cm. Les valeurs correspondantes pour les mâles des moutons Begayit étaient respectivement de 34.5 ± 0.5 kg et de 66.1 ± 0.5 cm. Les pratiques traditionnelles existantes d’élevage et de sélection et les préférences de caractères sont les composantes principales de sélection qu'il faut améliorer chez les petits exploitants de l’Éthiopie.

Resumen

Se estudiaron las características típicas, los objetivos de cría y los caracteres tanto morfológicos como biométricos de la raza ovina Begait en dos distritos de Etiopía (Setit Humera y Kafta Humera). Se utilizaron cuestionarios semi-estructurados con registro del peso y medidas lineales del cuerpo y de observaciones de campo. La descripción de la raza Begait es: cola larga y delgada (hasta 50 cm de largo), cuerpo musculoso, pelo corto y liso, y desprovistos de cuernos en ambos sexos masculino y femenino. Según las respuestas de los encuestados, la tasa de crecimiento (0.21), la longitud de la cola (0.20), la apariencia/conformación (0.19) y el color del pelaje (0.18) fueron las características más importantes en la selección de los carneros de reproducción. Para la cría de hembras el tamaño corporal (0.27), la edad de la primera cubrición (0.15), la tasa de crecimiento (0.14) y el color del pelaje y de la cola (0.13) fueron las primeras cuatro características, en ese orden. El emplazamiento y la edad tuvieron un efecto significativo (P < 0.01) en el peso corporal y en la mayoría de las medidas corporales lineales. Los ejemplares de Kafta Humera mostraron en términos relativos valores más bajos de peso corporal y de la mayoría de las medidas corporales lineales que los de Setit Humera. En conjunto, el peso corporal medio y la longitud corporal media de las hembras Begait fueron respectivamente 31.4 ± 0.4 kg y 62.5 ± 0.5 cm. Los valores correspondientes para los machos Begait fueron 34.5 ± 0.5 kg y 66.1 ± 0.5 cm, respectivamente. Las prácticas tradicionales existentes de manejo del rebaño y cría y las preferencias por determinados caracteres son los componentes de la cría más importantes que requieren mejoras en la ganadería a pequeña escala de Etiopía.

Keywords

Begait sheepbreeding practicestrait preferencestypical featuresmoutons Begayitpratiques de sélectionpréférences de caractèrescaractéristiquesoveja Begaitprácticas de críapreferencias de característicascaracteres típicos
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 51 , December 2012 , pp. 117 - 123
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2012

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