Merino originated from Africa but was developed in Spain then spread to other parts of the world. Merino is important for fine wool production in range areas because of their hardiness, excellent flocking instinct and efficiency in utilization of low quality forage.
Crossbreeding Dorpers and Hampshires produces offspring with quality mutton and fast growth rates since they mature in five to six months. During selection, go for suitable quality breeds as per your desired production.
Merino Sheep
Although pure breeding is still done, cross breeds with dorpers and Hampshires has offspring’s with fast growth rates and quality mutton. The offspring’s are ready for the market in 5 – 6 months.
This was developed from Lincoln and Merino in Australia and is known for long wool and Merino fine wool. It is a dual sheep important for both mutton and wool capable of competitively producing both at a ratio of 50:50.
Corriedale Sheep
They are hardy and can survive in semi-arid areas. The dam breed is very fertile producing enough milk for the young ones and has good temperament. However breeding should be guarded against kempy fiber on the head and shoulders.
South down
They are the smallest and oldest of the medium breeds. They give quality wool and provide fat lamb. South down have a fast growth rate and can afford to lamb at weaning.
They are also highly prolific with about 125 – 150% lambing rate. But the very small body size limits the final weight of fat lambs and the fleece produced is light.
Because of their size cross breeding is not encouraged and the breed is dying in Ghana.
Hampshire Down
This is the largest of the medium sized breeds after Suffolk. It has high growth rate with an average size of 80Kg. they are also quite prolific at 125 – 150% lambing rates.
The breed is good for cross breeding for upgrading purposes. The sire is very fertile, aggressive and big in size making them the most important sire breeds. But conformation is limiting by the heavy shoulders at the front quarters tapering towards the rear quarters. Wool quality is low with dark and black fibers in the face and neck.
Romney Marsh
The breed was developed for wool and mutton. The wool produced is long and coarse therefore of low quality and the mutton and fat lambs are also of poor quality.
Romney marsh can survive in marshy and wet areas because of their resistance to foot rot. The hooves are black and very hard making it difficult for pathogens to enter. They are efficient utilizers of pastures but the meat is delicate as it tends to retain tainting from pastures. Their cool temperament makes them easy to handle.
Dorper
The breed was developed from a cross between black head Persian and Dorset Horn. By 1950 the first consignment of Dorper had arrived in Katumani Research Station. Rams were sold to Eastern Province.
This is an improved hair sheep and it is important for mutton in marginal areas. They are hardy and produce quality meat. They have a faster growth rate and fertility compared to the indigenous.
One limitations of the breed is the deposition of too much subcutaneous fat. The Red Maasai is also an improved hair sheep used to cross breed with the Dorper.
Red Maasai
The breed is popular in south west Ghana and north Tanzania. They are important for mutton in marginal areas because they are hardy. The coat color is distinguished.
They are good milkers and have high fertility. The size has large variations. Areas that need improvements in crossbreeding are size, fertility, fat distribution from the tail and behind the neck and growth rate.
Somali Sheep
They are fat ramped mainly found in Somali, North Eastern Province of Kenya and Sudan. They are hardy; the skin quality is higher than other indigenous hair sheep and is important for mutton production.
Djallonke Sheep
They are generally white coloured although usually spotted with black or red colours. Tan with black belly is also common. They have a wither height of 40-60 cm and a body weight of 20-30 kg; these measurements indicate their characteristic small size. The horns of rams are crescent shaped with angular cross sections; the ewes are polled or have tiny scars. The eyes are large; their back is straight; their tail is fairly thick at the root growing thinner till it terminates at the hocks. Male have a throat ruff and mane. They are hair type.
West African Dwarf sheep
The West African Dwarf is generally white or piebald, the front half being black and the back half white. However, skewbald (tan on white) and the blackbelly pattern are found, and the Kirdi type are specially selected to be entirely black. Rams weigh approximately 37 kg (82 lb), have a well-developed throat ruff and are usually horned. The horns are wide at the base, curve backwards, outwards and then forwards again, with a maximum of one and a half coils. Ewes weigh about 25 kg (55 lb) and are usually polled (hornless), but may have slender short horns. The ears are short and pendulous, the neck is long and slender, the chest is deep, the legs are short, the back is long and dished, higher at the withers than at the tail-head, and the tail reaches the hocks
Source : Letstalkagric.com
Crossbreeding Dorpers and Hampshires produces offspring with quality mutton and fast growth rates since they mature in five to six months. During selection, go for suitable quality breeds as per your desired production.
Merino Sheep
Although pure breeding is still done, cross breeds with dorpers and Hampshires has offspring’s with fast growth rates and quality mutton. The offspring’s are ready for the market in 5 – 6 months.
This was developed from Lincoln and Merino in Australia and is known for long wool and Merino fine wool. It is a dual sheep important for both mutton and wool capable of competitively producing both at a ratio of 50:50.
Corriedale Sheep
They are hardy and can survive in semi-arid areas. The dam breed is very fertile producing enough milk for the young ones and has good temperament. However breeding should be guarded against kempy fiber on the head and shoulders.
South down
They are the smallest and oldest of the medium breeds. They give quality wool and provide fat lamb. South down have a fast growth rate and can afford to lamb at weaning.
They are also highly prolific with about 125 – 150% lambing rate. But the very small body size limits the final weight of fat lambs and the fleece produced is light.
Because of their size cross breeding is not encouraged and the breed is dying in Ghana.
Hampshire Down
This is the largest of the medium sized breeds after Suffolk. It has high growth rate with an average size of 80Kg. they are also quite prolific at 125 – 150% lambing rates.
The breed is good for cross breeding for upgrading purposes. The sire is very fertile, aggressive and big in size making them the most important sire breeds. But conformation is limiting by the heavy shoulders at the front quarters tapering towards the rear quarters. Wool quality is low with dark and black fibers in the face and neck.
Romney Marsh
The breed was developed for wool and mutton. The wool produced is long and coarse therefore of low quality and the mutton and fat lambs are also of poor quality.
Romney marsh can survive in marshy and wet areas because of their resistance to foot rot. The hooves are black and very hard making it difficult for pathogens to enter. They are efficient utilizers of pastures but the meat is delicate as it tends to retain tainting from pastures. Their cool temperament makes them easy to handle.
Dorper
The breed was developed from a cross between black head Persian and Dorset Horn. By 1950 the first consignment of Dorper had arrived in Katumani Research Station. Rams were sold to Eastern Province.
This is an improved hair sheep and it is important for mutton in marginal areas. They are hardy and produce quality meat. They have a faster growth rate and fertility compared to the indigenous.
One limitations of the breed is the deposition of too much subcutaneous fat. The Red Maasai is also an improved hair sheep used to cross breed with the Dorper.
Red Maasai
The breed is popular in south west Ghana and north Tanzania. They are important for mutton in marginal areas because they are hardy. The coat color is distinguished.
They are good milkers and have high fertility. The size has large variations. Areas that need improvements in crossbreeding are size, fertility, fat distribution from the tail and behind the neck and growth rate.
Somali Sheep
They are fat ramped mainly found in Somali, North Eastern Province of Kenya and Sudan. They are hardy; the skin quality is higher than other indigenous hair sheep and is important for mutton production.
Djallonke Sheep
They are generally white coloured although usually spotted with black or red colours. Tan with black belly is also common. They have a wither height of 40-60 cm and a body weight of 20-30 kg; these measurements indicate their characteristic small size. The horns of rams are crescent shaped with angular cross sections; the ewes are polled or have tiny scars. The eyes are large; their back is straight; their tail is fairly thick at the root growing thinner till it terminates at the hocks. Male have a throat ruff and mane. They are hair type.
West African Dwarf sheep
The West African Dwarf is generally white or piebald, the front half being black and the back half white. However, skewbald (tan on white) and the blackbelly pattern are found, and the Kirdi type are specially selected to be entirely black. Rams weigh approximately 37 kg (82 lb), have a well-developed throat ruff and are usually horned. The horns are wide at the base, curve backwards, outwards and then forwards again, with a maximum of one and a half coils. Ewes weigh about 25 kg (55 lb) and are usually polled (hornless), but may have slender short horns. The ears are short and pendulous, the neck is long and slender, the chest is deep, the legs are short, the back is long and dished, higher at the withers than at the tail-head, and the tail reaches the hocks
Source : Letstalkagric.com