7.6 Concentrate feeding of sheep in Nigeria

Abstract

Total sheep population in Nigeria is probably around 8 million (anonymous, 1975). The majority of these sheep live in the northern part of the country. The three most important breeds in the north are the Uda, the Balami and the Yankasa. The former two are examples of the typical longlegged, long-tailed, hairy sheep, living along the southern border of the Sahara. The Yankasa occupies the middle and most of the northern part of the country. It probably developed as a cross between the West African Dwarf (or Forest) Sheep from the south and the Uda from the north. It possesses the heavy neck ruff that is typical of the West African Dwarf but is taller and heavier.