Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2017)

Author(s): Germinus Bahati Tungu, George Cesilius Kifaro and Angaza Amos Gimbi

Abstract: This study presents growth and reproductive performance of Gogo sheep in Tanzania. Growth and reproductive data were collected for three years and analysed using General Linear Models. Gogo sheep are aseasonal with two peak lambing trend. Lambs born in dry season had higher birth and one month of age weights than those born in wet season (2.32 vs 2.32 kg; 5.86 vs 4.57 kg) respectively. BCS was highest (3.43) for yearlings in wet season and lowest (1.98) for one year of age in dry season. Sex and birth type had an influence on growth by males having higher birth weight (2.40 kg) than females (2.13 kg). Furthermore males were superior to females at age of one month (5.53 vs 4.90 kg) and two months (8.85 vs 8.23) respectively. Age at first lambing and lambing interval were 448 and 320 days respectively. Gogo sheep could be improved through feeding and management.