Reproductive performance of two types of Sudan Desert sheep

Data were available to study reproductive aspects on a total of 1860 matings over three years for the Shugor and Watish ecotypes of Sudan Desert sheep kept under hot semi-arid conditions at the El Huda sheep research station in the Sudan. Overall adjusted mean gestation length was 150 days with no consistent effect of genotype or of the sex of lamb carried. Ewes in the older age group had longer gestation length. Young (2-tooth) ewes and twin-bearing ewes tended to carry their lambs for a shorter time than single bearing ewes. The only consistent effect of genotype on reproduction was on litter size. Ewe age group, on the other hand, had substantial effect on all the reproductive traits measured. Older ewes had a better conception rate, lower barrenness rate and higher litter size than the young (2-tooth) ewes. It was concluded that Sudan Desert sheep in their native environment can achieve acceptable levels of reproductive performance under good management.