Phenotypic Characterization of Uda Sheep in Maiduguri, Northern Nigeria

The study used a total of 255 (122 males and 133 females) Uda sheep were randomly sampled from the population. The parameters considered were body weight (BW), body length (BL), height at wither (HW), chest circumference (CC), head length (HL), head wide (HW), ear length (EL), horn length (HRL), horn circumference (HRC), tail length (TL), rump wide (RW), rump length (RL), height at rump (HR), foreleg (FLG), hind leg (HLD) and neck length (NL). The weight (Kg) was measured by using glasfiberband with model number WJ515 and the height measurement (cm) was done using a graduated measuring rule. The data obtained were analyzed using General Linear Model Procedure of SAS and Means differences were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result showed that age have significant (P<0.005) different on all the phenotypic traits except HL, EL, RL, RW, HRL and HRC are non-significant (P>0.005) different, although they are statistically the same but showed slight increase with increase in age. The effect of sex on phenotypic traits of uda sheep showed HRL, HRC and HDW are significant (P<0.005) different. The phenotypic correlation showed both positive and negative correlation between phenotypic traits. The study concluded that this research will initiate a selection and breeding programme for the improvement of Nigerian uda sheep.