PERFORMANCE OF SOMALI BLACKHEAD SHEEP AND GALLA GOATS IN NORTHERN KENYA

Characters of sheep and goat production in northern Kenya were investigated for female body weight, milk production, lamb and kid growth. Plant species consumed were analyzed for nutritional content of crude protein (CP) and digestible organic matter (DOM). Average DOM of sheep diets was 47.2 and 51.7% while CP was 10.1 and 8.7% for 1979 and 1980, respectively. Goat diets were similar to sheep diets in average CP and DOM. Lambs born in the dry season were heavier than those born in the wet season (P<0.05) at 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of age. Lambs born in 1978 were heavier from 90 to 300 days of age than those born in 1979 and 1980 (P<0.05). There were significant year differences for ewe body weight and reproductive performance (130.0 vs 118.8% lambs born/ewe). Analysis of kid growth indicated that from 60 to 300 days of age, kids born in 1978 were significantly heavier than the 1979 and 1980 kid crops. No differences (P>0.05) were found for doe weight between years; however, significant differences for month nested within year were found. As with sheep, doe reproductive rate was reduced (P < 0.05) in the second year. Significant year and seasonal effects were found for milk production. © 1990.