INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED PRACTICES IN REARING TORONKE SHEEP IN THE REPUBLIC OF MALI
FANTOVA, M, STEFKOVA, X.
Abstract
Growth potential of Toronke sheep males castrated
by the method acceptable to the local traditional and religious usance (rubber
rings) as a presumption to introduce any breeding method in existing pastoral
system were tested on six farms in Segala district, Mali, West Africa. In the
middle of the dry season (February) 6 rams and 9 castrates aged 3-5 month were
posted into the trial to observe live weight, withers height and body length
dynamics. After the rainy season came off (end of September) animals were slaughtered
and evaluated for carcass performance.
Average initial/final live weight was 14,69/23,88 kg and 13/22,63 kg in C and
I group respectively. Initial/final height in withers was^58/64,25cm and 55,25/65,52
cm, body length 55,25/64,25cm and 45,75/63,50 cm. After the first 5 month period,
absolute weight gain was 5,26 and 5,75kg and relative gain (= immediate to initial
weight rate) the I group reached evidently more than C group (44,23 vers. 35,88%).
During following periods the C relative gain decreased to 9,96 and 8,83% whereas
the I relative gain to 12,67 and 7,10.
Only the I rams were allowed to be slaughtered and dissected into parts. Carcass
in respective animals reached 37-50% and 43% in average.
Key words:
sheep, Toronke, castrate, growth potential, carcass
yield