UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THAMARI SHEEP IN YEMEN ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF FP

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1 UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THAMARI SHEEP IN YEMEN ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF FP

2 GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THAMARI SHEEP IN YEMEN ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA 2009

3 GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THAMARI SHEEP IN YEMEN By ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in fulfilment of the Requiement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2009

4 DEDICATION In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (وما توفيقي الا باالله رب العالمين) All praise to Almighty Allah, the Merciful and the Benevolent. Had it not been due to His will and favour, the completion of this study would not have been possible. Thank You Allah With a Full Heart and Devoted Mouth. Next To my co-supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jothi Malar Panandan. Your guides, help & support are highly appreciated. Truly, you have earned my unqualified respect and admiration. Thank You ii

5 Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF THAMARI SHEEP IN YEMEN ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF July 2009 Chairman: Associate Professor Ismail bin Idris, PhD Faculty: Agriculture The production potential of the Thamari sheep as well as other native breeds in Yemen had not been well characterized and documented. A field study was conducted to demonstrate the importance of rearing sheep by farmers in Yemen, and an on station studys were conducted to evaluate the performance of the popular native Thamari sheep. The results obtained from the questionnaire survey which was carried out in 20 villages at the intermountain plains of Yemen during the first half of 2005 showed that 95% of the farmers who had cultivated land also had livestock. Sheep was the most important kind of livestock reared and for multi purpose use: as meat supplier for home consumption (100%), for producing milk (84%) and as a casual source of income for farmers (95%). Sheep was also used by farmers as exchange for goods or services (9%), and was given as gift (42%). All households surveyed kept sheep; they also reared cattle (90%), donkey, goat and camel. iii

6 Data analyzed on the Thamari sheep performance consisted of 1966 records of 600 breeding ewes and 1434 lambs of 27 sires used for breeding during 12 breeding seasons over 6 years. The flock was under a restricted breeding system of two mating per year. The results showed that fertility, prolificacy and fecundity were 79%, 91% 72%, respectively, and the weight of ewe at mating was the only source of variation that significantly (p<0.01) affected these traits. Litter size at birth and weaning were 1.07, 0.94 lambs/ewe, respectively, and were significantly (p<0.05) affected by ewe genotype and postpartum weight of ewe. Sire also had significant (p<0.05) effect on litter size at birth. Litter birth weight (3.0 kg) was significantly (p<0.01) affected by year, sire, parity, litter sex composition, postpartum weight of ewe and by litter size at birth x sire interaction. Litter weaning weight and litter pre-weaning average daily gain were kg and 145 g/d, respectively, and were significantly (p<0.01) affected by year and season of mating, sire, litter sex combination, litter size at birth, litter birth weight and postpartum weight of ewe, and by litter size at birth x sire interaction. Mortality of lamb at birth (3.0%) was significantly (p<0.01) affected by ewe genotype, while the preweaning mortality (4.4%) was affected by ewe genotype and birth type. Body weight of lambs at six month was 18.8 kg and was significantly (p<0.01) affected by year of birth, sex, birth type, birth weight of lamb, postpartum weight of ewe, sire and sex x birth type interaction (p<0.05). Heritability estimates for birth weight, weaning weight and preweaning average daily gain of Thamari lambs were 0.23 ± 0.08, 0.03 ± 0.04 and 0.02 ± 0.04, respectively. In conclusion, it is obvious that sheep are the most important kind of livestock reared by farmers and for multipurpose. Several productive traits in the Thamari sheep were found iv

7 lower than average values reported in the literatures for other breeds. These could be improved by increasing number of lambs born per ewe and growth performance of lambs, which may be achieved by using an optimum mating system in parallel with improved management and feeding. Sire and ewe genotypes as well as weight of the ewe at mating and lambing were found to be the most important sources of variation affecting several productive traits in the Thamari sheep. Therefore, the contribution of the significant factors to the total phenotypic variation of the Thamari sheep performance should be eliminated before applying selection and estimating genetic parameters. v

8 Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Doktor Falsafah PEMBIAKAN PRESTASI BEBIRI THAMARI DI YEMEN ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF July 2009 Pengerusi: Profesor Madya Ismail bin Idris, PhD Fakulti: Pertanian Potensi pengeluaran bebiri Thamari serta lain-lain baka tempatan di Yemen belum pernah didokumen dan dicirikan. Kajian di lapagan dan di pusat penyelidikan telah dilakukan untuk menunjukkan kepentingan menternak bebiri Thamari oleh penternak dan untuk menilai prestasinya. Keputusan yang diperolehi daripada soal selidik kajian yang telah dilakukan di 20 perkampongan di dataran tanah tinggi Yemen pada separuh pertama tahun 2005 telah menunjukkan 95% daripada petani yang bercucuk tanam juga memelihara ternakan. Bebiri merupakan ternakan terpenting yang dipelihara oleh petani dan ia disimpan untuk berbagai tujuan: seperti penghasilan daging bagi keperluan rumahtangga (100%), penghasilan susu (84%) dan sebagai sumber pendapatan (95%). Bebiri juga digunakan oleh penternak sebagai pertukaran untuk barangan atau perkhidmatan (9%) dan juga diberi sebagai hadiah (42%). Semua keluarga yang dikaji memelihara bebiri; mereka juga memelihara lembu (90%), kaldai, kambing dan unta. vi

9 Data prestasi bebiri Thamari yang dianalisis mengandungi 1966 rekod yang merangkumi 600 ibu pembiak dan 1434 anak daripada 27 bapak yang digunakan untuk pembiakan pada 12 musim pembiakan dalam enam tahun. Gerompok bebiri tersebut adalah di bawah sistem pembiakan terhad dua musim setahun. Keputusan menunjukkan kesuburan, keperidian dan fekunditi masing-masing adalah 79%, 91% dan 72%, dan berat ibu semasa mengawan hanyalah sumber variasi yang mempengaruhi (p < 0.01)ciri-ciri tersebut. Bilangan anak seperinduk semasa kelahiran dan semasa penyapihan adalah masing-masing 1.07 dan 0.94 anak/ibu, dan dipengaruhi (p<0.05) oleh genotip ibu dan berat ibu selepas melahirkan anak. Bapak juga mempengaruhi (p<0.05) bilangan anak seperinduk. Berat anak semasa lahir (3.0 kg) adalah dipengaruhi (p<0.01) oleh tahun kelahiran, bapak, pariti, komposisi jantina anak, berat ibu selepas melahirkan anak dan interaksi antara bilangan anak seperinduk semasa lahir dan bapak. Purata pertambahan berat harian anak semasa penyapihan dan prapenyapihan adalah masing-masing kg dan 145 g/hari serta dipengaruhi oleh tahun dan musin mengawan, bapak, bilangan anak seperinduk semasa lahir dan semasa penyapihan, berat anak semasa lahir dan berat ibu selepas melahirkan dan interaksi antara bilangan anak seperinduk semasa lahir dan bapak. Kadar kematian anak semasa lahir (3.0%) dipengaruhi (p<0.01) oleh genotip ibu manakala kadar kematian prapenyapihan (4.4%) dipengaruhi oleh genotip ibu dan jenis kelahiran. Berat badan anak pada umur enam bulan adalah 18.8 kg dan dipengaruhi (p<0.01) oleh tahun kelahiran, jantina, jenis kelahiran, berat lahir anak, berat ibu selepas melahirkan anak, bapak dan interaksi antara jantina dan jenis kelahiran (p<0.05). vii

10 Anggaran heritabiliti bagi berat lahir, berat sapih dan purata tumbesaran harian pra penyapihan adalah 0.23 ± 0.08, 0.03 ± 0.04 dan 0.02 ± Kesimpulannya, adalah jelas bahawa bebiri merupakan ternakan terpenting yang dipelihara oleh penternak dan disimpan untuk pelbagai tujuan. Beberapa ciri produktif pada bebiri Thamar didapati lebih rendah daripada nilai purata yang dilaporkan bagi lainlain baka. Ini boleh dipertingkatkan dengan penambahan bilangan anak dilahirkan oleh seekor induk betina dan meningkatkan prestasi pembesaran, yang dapat dichapai dengan menggunakan sistem pengawanan yang optimum selari dengan peningkatan pengurusan dan pemakanan. Genotip induk betina dan jantan serta berat induk betina semasa pengawanan dan semasa kelahiran adalah sumber variasi yang terpenting mempengaruhi beberapa ciri produktif bebiri Thamari.. Dengan itu, sumbangan faktor-faktor penting terhadap keseluruhan variasi fenotip prestasi bebiri Thamari perlu disingkarkan sebelum mengamalkan pemilihan dan mengnggarkan parameter genetik. viii

11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My great thanks, appreciation and gratitude to my country, the Republic of Yemen, and to the University of Thamar for giving me the chance to do this study and for the financial support. Special thanks due to Prof. Dr. Ahamad Abdu Saleh (Thamar University) for his support, friendship, understanding and encouragement to do this degree, and also to Prof. Dr. Abdullah Al-Mojahid (Sana a University) for his.support and encouragement. I would like to thank the supervisory committee; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ismail Idris, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jothi Malar Panandan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Saidi Moin for their understanding and patience and for their valuable comments on the draft of this thesis. Special thanks due to my co-supervisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jothi Malar Panandan for her friendly relationship, hospitality, sincere constructive comments, guidance and encouragement at every stage of my research study and for her help and guidance during the statistical analysis and at preparing the final draft of this thesis in particular. I would like to thank the Examination Committee; Prof. Dr. Zainal Aznam Mohd Jelan, Associate Professor Halimatun Yaakub, Prof. Dr. Abd Razak Alimon, and Prof. Dr. Ramli Abdullah for their valuable and constructive comments and corrections made in this thesis. I would like also to thank the staff of the Universiti Putra Malaysia, the Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), and Kolej 14 for helping me in one way or another towards the completion of the study. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Mohamed Ali Hassan (Thamar University) and to Mr. Aiedh Mohammed Al-Faqieh (Education Institute) for their help represented me during my study abroad and during contacting the survey study. ix

12 My deepest gratitude to my family, my deceased father, my dearest mother and my children Ibrahime, Omar, Mohammed, Aiman and Yasmine. Thank you for moral supports, encouragement and understanding, and for being strong and patience during my study abroad. Finally, thanks to all my friends in the Department of Animal Sciences and others who had given me help in one way or another to the successful completion of this study. x

13 I certify that a Thesis Examination Committee has met on 28 July 2009 to conduct the final examination of Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Nokhaif on his thesis entitled Growth Performance of Thamari Sheep in Yemen in accordance with Universities and university colleges Act 1971 and the constitution of the Universiti Putra Malaysia [P.U.(A) 106] March 15, The committee recommends that the candidate be awarded thr Doctor of Philosophy. Members of the Thesis Examination Committee were as follows: Zainal Aznam Mohd Jelan, PhD Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Halimatun Yaakub, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Abd Razak Alimon, PhD Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Ramli Abdullah, PhD Professor Faculty Sains Biologi Universiti Malaya (External Examiner) BUJANG BIN KIM HUAT, PhD Professor and Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 24 November 2009 xi

14 This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia and has been accepted as fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The members of the Supervisory Committee were as follows: Ismail bin Idris, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Jothi Malar Panandam, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Saidi Moin, PhD Associate Professor Faculty of Medicine Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) HASANAH MOHD GHAZALI, PhD Professor and Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 10 December 2009 xii

15 DECLARATION I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations, which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions. ABDULLAH ALI ABDULLAH AL-NOKHAIF Date: 30 October 2009 xiii

16 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ABSTRACT ABSTRAK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPROVAL DECLARATION LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Page iii iv vii x xii xiv xxi xxiv xxv CHAPTER 1 1 INTRODUCTION Objectives of the Study Significance of the Study 4 CHAPTER 5 2 LITERATURE REVIEW Livestock Production in Yemen Introduction Agro-ecology Climate Livestock Production Systems Animal Genetic Resources and Diversity Thamari Sheep Breed Economic Traits in Meat Sheep Introduction Conception and Fertility Rates Fecundity, Prolificacy, and Rearing Ability Lambing and Weaning Rates Litter Size at Birth and Weaning Litter Weight at Birth and Weaning Mortality Rate Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Reproductive Traits Parity and Age of Dam 28 xiv

17 2.3.2 Year Season Birth Type Ewe Body Weight Other Non-genetic Factors Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Lambs Mortality Management Dam Age and Parity Birth Type Sex Birth Weight Non-Genetic Factors Affecting Pre-And- Post-weaning Growth 43 Traits Season Year Sex Birth Type Dam Age and Parity Phenotypic Correlation Relationship between Reproductive Traits Relationship between Growth Traits 67 CHAPTER 70 3 SURVEY OF LIVESTOCK FARMING SYSTEM IN THAMAR AND YARIM VILLAGES Materials and Methods Survey Location Survey Method Data Collected and Sample Size Statistical Analysis Results Number of Farmers Contributed in This Study Farmers Age Activity of Farmers Farmers by Livestock Reared Herd Size of Livestock in the Survey Areas Sheep Breeds by Households Structure of Sheep Flocks over Households Flock Size and Performance 84 xv

18 3.2.9 Lamb and Ewe Mortality and Culling Purposes of Rearing Sheep Use of Farm by Farmers at the Survey Areas Discussion Introduction Age and Activity of Farmers Livestock Distribution and Size over Households Sheep Breeds by Households Structure of Sheep Flocks over Households Flock Performance during Previous Season Sheep Production by Household Mating and Lambing Season Lambing Interval Lactation Length Marketing of Meat and Milk Products 104 CHAPTER PERFORMANCE OF THAMARI SHEEP UNDER IMPROVED MANAGEMENT CONDITION 4.1 Materials and Methods The Research Station Flock Management Data Collection and Preparation Variables Studied and Their Definitions Statistical Analysis Results Reproductive Performance of Thamari Sheep Factors Affecting Reproductive Traits Factors Affecting Growth Traits Mortality Rate Factors Affecting Lamb Mortality Phenotypic Correlation Heritability Estimates Discussion Reproductive Traits Growth Traits Mortality Rate Heritability Estimates xvi

19 GENERAL DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION 172 REFERENCES 177 APPENDICES 188 BIODATA OF THE STUDENT 196 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS 197 xvii

20 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 2.1 Reproductive trats Effect of non-genetic factors on reproductive traits Effect of year and season on growth traits Effect of sex of lamb on growth traits Effect of birth type on growth traits Effect of dam age and parity on growth traits Phenotypic correlation between reproductive traits Phenotypic correlation between growth traits Number of farmers by villages participated in the survey Distribution of the survey respondents by age Distribution of farmers by activity Percentage of farmers who kept specific type of livestock species 3.5 Percentage of farmers who kept different types of livestock species Herd size of various livestock species in the survey areas in Type of sheep in the survey areas Age structure of the sheep flocks in the survey areas in Number of sheep possessed by farmer in the previous season, Ewe performance during previous season, Lamb mortality in the survey areas Usage of sheep and its distribution in the survey areas 88 xviii

21 3.13 Response to usage of different farm practices in the survey area Conception, lambing, abortion and sex ratio of Thamari ewes classified by year and season 4.2 Weaning rate, ewe productivity, rearing ability and dry ewes classified by year and season Analysis of variance of litter size at birth and weaning Least squares means and standard errors of litter size at birth and weaning 4.5 Analysis of variance of litter weight at birth, weaning, litter preweaning average daily gain, and the adjusted litter weight at weaning 4.6 Least squares means (LSM) and standard errors (SE) of litter weights at birth and weaning, pre-weaning growth rate of litter, and the adjusted weaning weight at weaning Analysis of variance of fertility, fecundity and prolificacy Least squares means and standard errors of fertility, fecundity, and prolificacy 4.9 Analysis of variance of weight of lambs at birth and weaning, adjusted weaning weight and pre-weaning growth rate 4.10 Least squares means (LSM) and standard errors (SE) for birth weight, weaning weight, adjusted weaning weight and preweaning growth rate 4.11 Analysis of variance of lamb weight at 6 months of age, adjusted weight at 6 months and post-weaning growth rate 4.12 Least squares means (LSM) and standard errors (SE) for lamb weight at 6 months, adjusted weight at 6 months and postweaning growth rate Mortality of lambs and ewes classified by year and season Analysis of variance of lamb mortality at birth and during suckling period and total mortality from birth to weaning 4.15 Least squares means and standard errors for lamb mortality at birth, during suckling and total mortality from birth to weaning xix

22 4.16 Pearson correlation coefficients between growth traits of Thamari lambs classified by males and females 4.17 Pearson correlation coefficients between reproduction traits of Thamari sheep xx

23 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 3.1 The Republic of Yemen The location of Thamar Province Number and locations of the villages Percent farmers using different number of rams per ewes at mating Percent farmers who encountered different number of ewe mortality Percent farmers who culled different number of sheep due to sickness Thamari sheep weaners Thamari ram Thamari ewes 109 xxi

24 LIST OF ABBREVATIONS ADG1 ADG2 BWT Diff. F \ f g GDP he IWOE kg kg\d LADG1 LADG2 LSB LSC LSW LWTB LWTW M \ m MB mth N PM PPWT R REML RLIP RRS pre-weaning average daily gain post-weaning average daily gain birth weight difference female gram gross domestic product hectares weight of ewe at breeding kilogram kilogram per day litter pre-weaning average daily gain litter post-weaning average daily gain litter size at birth litter sex litter size at weaning litter birth weight litter weaning weight male lamb mortality at birth month no lamb mortality during suckling period weight of ewe at lambing Phenotypic correlation Restricted Maximum Likelihood Range and Livestock Improvement Project Regional Research Station xxii

25 S Sign. SOL SOM T TM TOB WT6M WWT Y YOL YOM single significant season of lambing Season of mating twin total lamb mortality from birth to weaning birth type weight at six months weaning weight yes year of lambing year of mating xxiii