The West African Dwarf sheep is found in West Africa, its range extending from Senegal to Chad, Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. It is adapted for life in humid forested areas, sub-humid areas and savannahs. The Kirdi or Poulfouli is a wholly black variant found in northern Cameroon and southwestern Chad.
Traits, Structure and Size
The West African Dwarf is the predominant breed of the humid tropics from southern west Africa through central Africa. Their color is generally black piebald on white. Tan piebald on white, predominately colored (tan or black) and the blackbelly pattern are also found.
Adult males weight approximately 37 kg. They have a well-developed throat ruff and are horned. Ewes have mature weights of 25 kg. The females are usually polled. They can be bred at the age of 7-8 months. They tend to have a short lambing interval. The prolificacy of adult ewes is low to moderate ranging from 1.15-1.50 lambs per lambing. At less than 100 g per day under good feed conditions, their growth rate is low and lamb mortality is high. This breed is also trypanotolerant.
Other Names
It is known by some other names such as West African Maned, Southern, Savannah-type, Pagan, Nigerian Dwarf, Lakka, Kirdimi, Kirdi, Guinean, Futa Jallon, Fouta Djallon, Forest-type, Djallonke and Cameroons Dwarf.
The West African Dwarf sheep is mostly raised for meat production. They are easy to maintain as they can thrive on traditional grazing system and they interact well with human beings.
Economic Importance
West African Dwarf Sheep are primarily raised for meat, providing a crucial source of protein in local diets. They are integral to the livelihoods of many rural communities, offering not only food security but also income through sales. Their ability to tolerate trypanosomiasis, a disease prevalent in their native regions, makes them particularly valuable in areas where other sheep breeds may struggle. This resilience allows farmers to maintain livestock even in challenging environmental conditions.
Growth Rate
The growth rate of West African Dwarf Sheep (WAD) is generally lower compared to other sheep breeds, but it is influenced by various factors such as diet, management practices, and environmental conditions.
Overview of the Growth Rate of the West African Dwarf
- Average Daily Gain: WAD sheep exhibit average daily gains ranging from 76.9 g/day to 120 g/day during the early post-lambing period. This growth rate is moderate and can be affected by the type of feeding system employed.
- Birth and Weaning Weights: The birth weight of WAD lambs typically ranges from 1.67 kg to 2.70 kg, with an average of about 1.88 kg. By weaning at around four months, weights can reach approximately 11.0 kg
Factors Influencing Growth Rates
- Feeding Practices: The nutritional quality of the diet significantly impacts growth rates. Studies indicate that WAD sheep fed with high-quality concentrates show better growth performance compared to those on grass-based diets.
- Environmental Conditions: The adaptability of WAD sheep to local conditions, particularly in tsetse-infested areas, allows them to thrive where other breeds may struggle. However, this resilience often comes at the cost of lower growth rates compared to breeds that are not subjected to such environmental stressors.
- Management Systems: Traditional rearing practices, which are common for WAD sheep, often lead to lower productivity. Improved management and feeding strategies could enhance growth rates and overall performance.
In conclusion, the West African Dwarf sheep stands out for its adaptability to the challenging environmental conditions of West and Central Africa. Though its growth rate may be lower than other breeds, its resilience, especially in trypanosomiasis-prone areas, makes it invaluable for local farmers.
The breed’s ability to thrive on traditional grazing systems and provide a reliable source of meat and income highlights its economic and cultural importance in the region. With improved feeding and management practices, the productivity of this hardy breed can be further optimized, benefiting both rural communities and livestock production in the long term.
References
Ngere, L.O. 1973. Size and growth rate of the West African Dwarf sheep and a new breed, the Nungua - Blackhead of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science 6: 113-117.
https://www.roysfarm.com/west-african-dwarf-sheep/
2017 Adjibode InternJ agronomy and agricultural research reproduction growth sheep.pdf
Ampong E, Obese F Y and Ayizanga R A 2019: Growth and reproductive performance of West African Dwarf Sheep (Djallonké) at the Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, University of Ghana. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 31, Article #8.
"Growth Performance of West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep Fed Biodegraded Enterolobium cyclocarpum Based Diets"
written by A. A. Ayuk, E. A. Iyayi, B. I. Okon, J. O. Ayuk,
published by Agricultural Sciences, Vol.5 No.8, 2014