Pre-weaning growth of Djallonke lambs at the Kolokopé Centre (Togo)

Abstract

Weight records collected from 1983 to 1985 in 398 Djallonke (West African Dwarf) lambs raised at the Kolokopé Centre (Togo) were analysed. Least-square means were estimated at 1.69 ± 0.08 kg for birth weight, 4.01 ± 0.13 kg for 30-day weight, 9.64 ± 0.27 kg for weaning weight at 120 days, 78.32 ± 3.18 g and 57.11 ± 1.81 g, respectively for average daily gains (ADGs) from birth to 30 days and from 30 days to weaning. Performances were generally highest in lambs born in March (end of dry season/beginning of wet season) and November-December (beginning of dry season). Type of birth was by far the most important cause (P < 0.001) of the observed phenotypic variability as it accounted for 61.55 % of variations in birth weight, 84 % in weight at 30 days, 76.3 % in weaning weight, 77.7 and 47.5 %, respectively in ADGs from 0 to 30 days and from 30 to 120 days. Except birth weight, all the growth parameters studied were strongly affected by damage (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01). Highest performances were in lambs born to 4-year-old dams. Lambs raised on improved pastures outperformed their contemporaries maintained on natural pastures, the growth performance gaps being 0.45 kg at 30 days (P < 0.01), 1.04 kg at 120 days (P < 0.001), 10.46 g from 0 to 30 days (P < 0.01) and 5.41 g from 30 to 120 days (P < 0.01).