Reproductive performance of the West African Dwarf and the Nungua Blackhead sheep of Ghana

Reproduction in the Nungua Blackhead and the Ghanian variety of West African Dwarf sheep was studied. The gestation period of the two breeds were similar: 150 and 148 days respectively. Ewes mated in August and September had longer gestation period than those mated in March. The mean birth weights were 2.2 kg in the Nungua Blackhead and 1.3 kg in the West African Dwarf. Type of birth affected the weight of lambs at birth. The Nungua Black Head had no triplets, 0.132 twins and 0.868 singles. The West African Dwarf was more prolific: 0.402 singles, 0.557 twins and 0.041 triplets. The weight advantage of the Nungua Black Head lambs at birth was maintained to weaning and they also had better survival rate. The adjusted 12 week weaning weights averaged 9.8 and 5.8 kg respectively for the Nungua Blackhead and West African Dwarf. There was no significant difference between the breeds in terms of kg of lamb weaned per ewe mated.