Phenotypic characterization of dactyl thoracic index of Nigerian indigenous sheep population

Résumé

The study was conducted to evaluate phenotypic characterization of dactyl thoracic index of  Nigerian indigenous sheep population. Four hundred indigenous sheep (of average age between 18- 24 months) were sampled in major small ruminant markets, with one hundred sheep from each of the four predominant breeds in Nigeria (Balami, Yankasa, Ouda, and WAD). Data were collected on body measurements of the sheep which were used to estimate the dactyl thoracic Index (DTI) of the sheep. The data were subjected to Univariate analyses using SAS (2004 ). Result revealed mean values which ranged between 1.05 ± 0.10 (dactyl thoracic index) and 78.23 ± 2.49cm (chest circumference). Result also revealed a relative high variability (coefficient of variation) with highest coefficient of variation obtained for rump width (29.80%) and the lowest was recorded for dactyl thoracic index (9.85%). There were significant effects (p<0.05) of breed on morphological traits of the sheep. However, the DTI was not significantly affected (p>0.05) by breeds of the sheep. Result revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between sex in all the variables, ram had higher values in all these variables. However, there was no significant effect of sex on DTI of these sheep population. Based on the result of the study, it is concluded that Nigerian indigenous sheep breeds are light meat type.