The Libyan Barbary Sheep II. Growth and Wool Traits

Abstract

Growth data on 84 Libyan Barbary lambs born at two monthly intervals throughout the year (June to May) were used to study the effect of lambing period on growth traits. Wool records of 531 sheep were taken from the University of Al-Fateh Experiment Station to evaluate wool production of the Libyan Barbary sheep. The results indicated that lambs born in the summer months (June-July) were the lightest at weaning and at monthly interval post-weaning weights. Lambs born in late Spring (April-May) were the heaviest at weaning and post-weaning weights. There were no significant differences in pre-weaning growth rates of lambs born in the first 5 periods (June-March). In post-weaning growth rates, there were no significant differences between lambs born in the first four periods (June-January). The superiority in growth traits for lambs born in the period of April-May was attributed to changes in the availability of feed, level of management and overall climatic conditions. It is conculded that the results reported here together with the results of reproductive traits and lamb survival could be utilized to improve mutton production in the country.

Wool production of the Libyan Barbay ranges from 2.6 to 3.3 kg for different ages with an average of 3.1 kg. Staple length ranges from 12.3 to 16.6 cm with an average of 14.8 cm. It is concluded that the Libyan Barbary breed could be classed as long wool and its wool production is comparable to other carpet wool breeds.

The effects of sex, type of birth, age of ewe and lamb age at weaning on growth traits and the effects of shearing year, sex and age on wool traits were also evaluated.