April 2014 Vol. 2 No.4

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Dahab OA
Ahmed MA

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Full Length Research Paper

The Hamari sheep production systems in Darfur and Kordofan

Osman A. Dahab, *Ibrahim A. Ishag and Mohamed-Khair A. Ahmed

Department of Genetic and Animal Breeding, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Sudan

*Corresponding Author's E-mail: abu_elharith2006@yahoo.com

Accepted Dec 30, 2013

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study flock size, structure and management practices of Hamari sheep. The averages flock size were 217.2 and 268.8 heads in North Darfur and North Kordofan; respectively. The feeding management depended on natural pasture in addition to crops residues and minerals. The study found that the common diseases were Pneumonia and Mycoplasma. Mortality was high in the flocks and most animal died at age 6 – 12 months and the main causes of death were foreign bodies and lack of pasture. The breeding season started at the first of February to March. Breeding rams were selected from the flock at 6 months of age. The ewes gave the first lamb at age 12 months and gave one lamb every year. The main production constraints were lack of pasture and labor. The study concludes that flock size and structure of Hamari sheep varied between farmers. Breeding females constituted most of the flocks, and reproductive performance was average but can be enhanced through management and selection. The study suggested more detailed and larger studies are needed on Hamari sheep to characterize the reproductive and production systems.

Keywords: Desert sheep, Sudan, production system, production constraint