Ethiopian Sheep and Goat Breeds Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of indigenous sheep and goat genetic resources?

Inability to adapt to varying climatic conditions

Need for a high quality feed for survival

High susceptibility to endemic diseases

Adaptations to survive under adverse environmental conditions (correct)

What is the mature weight range of the Afar sheep breed?

30 - 35 kg (correct)

40 - 45 kg

15 - 20 kg

20 - 25 kg

What are the main factors used to classify Ethiopian goat breeds?

Origin, body size, ear shape, and function (correct)

Age, weight, tail type, and habitat

Temperament, horn size and disease resistance

Coat color, ear size, and milk production

What is the term for a mature female sheep?

Ewe (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about Menz sheep breed?

They have short and fat tails. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average weight of a Menz sheep at the time of weaning?

11 kg (A) Signup and view all the answers

Where is the natural habitat of the Afar goat?

Afar Region, northern and western Hararghe (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of a male sheep aged over 12 months?

Ram (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose for which Afar goats are maintained?

Meat and milk production (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average shoulder height of an adult female Afar goat (doe)?

60 cm (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of Arsi-Bale goats?

Typically short beards in males (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical body weight range of Arsi-Bale goats?

30-42 kg (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these exotic sheep breeds is primarily recognized for meat production?

Corriedale (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the typical fleece color of Awassi sheep?

Varying from brown to white, with possible black, grey or spotted faces (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following exotic goat breeds is well known worldwide?

Nera Verzasca (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose for which the Dorper sheep breed was developed?

Meat production (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of Awassi sheep?

High milk production over a 210-day lactation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Boer goat breed is a cross of which of the following breeds?

Africander, South African Common, indigenous Baitus, European, Angora, and Indian. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical weight of a mature Awassi sheep?

40-50 kg (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of Anglo-Nubian goats that distinguishes them from other breeds mentioned?

Dual-purpose for meat and milk production (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which breed of sheep is known for being well-adapted to dry environments?

Dorper (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the average weight of a female Boer goat?

80 kg (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the coat color of Boer goats?

White with red or brown on the head and neck (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary recommendation for selecting animals for improvement programs?

Use animals that are adapted to a specific area (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic for suitable sheep and goat housing?

Aesthetically pleasing (D) Signup and view all the answers

Besides floor plan, walls, and roofing, what additional structural element is commonly found in sheep and goat housing, according to the content?

Hay racks and watering troughs (C) Signup and view all the answers

In semi-arid and sub-tropical regions with moderate rainfall, what type of housing is most commonly used?

Ground level housing (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of stilted housing for sheep and goats, particularly in high rainfall areas?

To facilitate easy cleaning and collection of dung and urine (C) Signup and view all the answers

How are the roofs of corals typically designed to manage water runoff in sheep and goat housing?

Sloped to drain runoff to the rear (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of a lean-to type of structure as described in the content?

It is attached to an existing building, with a sloping roof (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main rationale for implementing more efficient use of agricultural and industrial by-products in sheep and goat nutrition?

To match production systems to available feed resources and improve intake (B) Signup and view all the answers

In designing a floor plan for sheep and goat housing, what factor, mentioned in the content, is most important to consider?

The space requirements of the animals based on the production system (D) Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor affects the necessary space allocation for housed animals?

Whether they are kept individually or in groups, and their physical size. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the roof of an animal enclosure important?

To offer shade from the sun and shield animals from rain. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In warm climates, why are walls of animal enclosures often partially open?

To facilitate better ventilation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these diseases is NOT mentioned as a major disease of sheep and goats in Ethiopia?

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) (A) Signup and view all the answers

How is Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) primarily transmitted between goats?

Via direct contact between goats. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How is Maedi-visna primarily transmitted?

Primarily through ingestion of milk from an infected animal. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do animals contract Rift Valley Fever (RVF)?

Through the bites of infected mosquitoes. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does sheep and goat pox spread?

Via direct contact with infected animals or contaminated objects. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to hold an animal off feed overnight before home slaughter?

To assist in keeping the animal clean during slaughter. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for aging a sheep or goat carcass before consumption?

To increase meat tenderness, especially for dry heat cooking. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum temperature recommended for storing meat in a freezer?

0 °C (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum milk production capacity, per day, of most sheep in a tropical environments?

0.3 liters (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between sheep's milk and cow's milk, according to the text?

Sheep's milk has a higher solids concentration and is higher in fat and protein. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental milk processing technique?

Fermenting (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of goat milk makes it easier for human digestion than cow's milk?

Simpler fat composition (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why do you need to sanitize your hands after they have been in contact with the outside of an animal's hide?

To remove contaminants from the hide that may be transferred to the meat. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sheep and Goat Production and Management

Learning Outcomes:
- Classify different sheep and goat breeds and select for preferred traits.
- Clarify sheep and goat feed resources and feeding methods.
- Identify different types of housing for sheep and goats.
- List major diseases and parasites of sheep and goats, and control methods.
- Explain major products and product processing of sheep and goats.

Sheep and Goat Breeds and Selection Methods

Indigenous sheep and goat genetic resources have developed specific adaptations to survive under adverse environmental conditions.
These conditions include climatic stresses, poor quality feed, seasonal feed, water shortage, endemic disease, and parasite challenge.

Indigenous Sheep Breeds

Ethiopian sheep are classified into different breeds and types.
Sheep habitats range from tropical to temperate environments. (a figure displays the geographic distribution of some major Ethiopian sheep breeds)

Key Terms

Does: Mature female goats
Buck: Male lamb (young sheep) reaching one year old (unless castrated)
Ewe: Mature adult female sheep
Ram: Male sheep aged over 12 months
Lamb: Sheep under 12 months old

Menz Sheep Breed

Natural habitat: North Shewa and parts of Wello zone of the Amhara region.
Woolbearing sheep in Ethiopia.
Shearing is done twice annually, with a yield of 1-1.6 kg.
Rams typically have twisted horns, while ewes are mostly hornless.
Tail is short and fat.
Birth weight: ~2.3 kg
Weaning weight (90 days): ~11 kg
One-year-old weight: ~26-30 kg
Ewe's mature weight: ~35 kg
Twin births are common, with an incidence sometimes reaching 60%.

Afar (or Adali) Sheep Breed

Small-sized breed, with mature weights ranging from 30-35 kg.
Natural habitat: Middle Awash Valley in eastern Ethiopia (extending to Dire Dawa east and Bati north).
Hardy; can tolerate drought.
Small ears.
Wide-based fat tail reaching below the hocks.
Short, coarse hair.
Birth weight: ~2.5 kg
Weaning weight (90 days): ~13 kg
One-year-old weight: ~25.8 kg
Ewe's mature weight: ~31.6 kg
Twin births are uncommon.

Indigenous Goat Breeds

Ethiopian goats are classified into four family types based on origin, body size (small, medium, or large), ear shape (long, short, or lop), and function (meat, milk, or skin).
(a figure displays the geographic distribution of some major Ethiopian goat breeds)

Afar Goat Breed

Also referred to as Adali and Danakil goat.
Natural habitat: Afar Region, but found in northern and western Hararghe, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
Well adapted to arid environments; watered every three to four days.
Known for being leggy.
Both males and females are horned.
Most males have beards; wattles may appear in males and females.
Mean height at the shoulders: 64.5 cm for males, 60 cm for females.

Arsi-Bale Goat Breed

Widely distributed throughout Arsi, Bale, and western Hararghe zones, and high-altitude areas of Sidama.
Males with curved, backward pointed horns.
Females with shorter horns.
Some males have ruffs (goiter) or beards.
Most have fairly long ears (some pendulous).
Mean height at the shoulders: ~73.2 cm for males; 66.1 cm for females.
Body weight ranges from 30-42 kg.
Known for twin and multiple kidding.

Exotic Sheep and Goat Breeds

Various breeds known globally for meat, milk, and wool production are imported.
These include Merino, Corriedale, Rommeny, Hampshire, and Bleu du Maine; Awassi and Corriedale are recognized for meat production.
Others, such as Anglo-Nubian, Brown Alpine, Nera Verzasca, Saanen, and Toggenburg are well-known worldwide.

Awassi Sheep Breed

Widely distributed in the Middle East (Israel, southwest Iran, southern Iraq, Syria, and northeast Arabia).
Fat-tailed sheep known for meat and coarse wool, with dairy potential.
Traditionally maintained mature weight is between 40-50 kg.
Rams have large horns and ewes are polled.
Average ewe has single lactations over 300 liters per 210-day lactation.
Calm around people, easy to work with, and easily milked.

Dorper Sheep Breed

A meat breed developed in South Africa, it's a crossbreed between the Dorset Horn and Blackhead Persian breeds.
Distributed in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Kenya.
Also found in North America and other countries worldwide.
Black head and neck with a white body.
Relatively big ewes, weighing about 60 kg.
Fast-growing, known for good meat production.

Boer Goat Breed

Developed in South Africa through crossing Africander, South African Common, indigenous Baitus, European, Angora, and Indian blood.
Medium to large size; 75-80 cm tall at the shoulders
Male and female Boer goats weigh up to 130 and 80 kg respectively.
White coat with red or brown on head and neck.
Short and shiny hair.
Horns and large drooping ears.

Anglo-Nubian Goat Breed

A dual-purpose breed known for both meat and milk production.
Developed through crossing Jamnapari (Indian) and Zaraiby (Egyptian) breeds.
Well-adapted to tropical environments.
Introduced to Ethiopia through FARM-Africa for upgrading Hararghe highland goats for milk production.
Large size.
Does (females) weigh at least 64 kg.
Average height: 81 cm for does; 94 cm for bucks.

Breed Selection Methods

Different breeds have varying environmental adaptability.
Animals adapted to a specific area are better suited to that area and are useful in improvement programs.
Productivity improvements are achieved through selection and better management.
Introduction of other animals (breeds) can be considered for adaptability in the area and if performance shows superiority to local animals.
Comparisons of different animals must be thorough, including lifetime production, reproductive rates, mortality rates and morbidity rates (illness rates).

Sheep and Goat Feeds and Feeding

Two main classes of feedstuff: roughages and concentrates.
Sheep and goats differ in their feeding habits.
Selection and intake of forage depend on available plant resources, and feeding behavior.
Knowledge of feeding habits is important to improve sheep and goat nutrition.
Goats prefer a wider variety of feedstuffs and are more selective and browse more than sheep.

Feed Resources

Natural grazing land is the primary feed source for sheep and goats in Ethiopia.
Little land is cultivated specifically for pastures or forage crops.
Grazing areas are usually communally owned.
Crop residues and agro-industrial by-products are significant feed sources in the mixed crop-livestock system.
Reliance on crop residues is increasing due to a growing human population.

Sheep and Goat Housing

Housing design should be prioritizing light, ventilation, well-drained and easily cleaned features to promote protection.
The design for all housing can include walls, roofing, feeding racks, watering troughs, and other additional facilities like sorting pens, lambing/kidding unit, hospital area, dips/spray races, and foot baths.
This section describes ground level housing (common in tropical areas) with different types including lean-to and free-standing, as well as stilted (common in high-rainfall areas like Asia).
Additional section on Coral Housing type prevalent in Central America.
Floor plan space requirements vary depending on whether animals are housed individually or in groups, taking animal size into consideration.
Roof design is important for protection from sun and rain.
Wall design should be partially open for air circulation in warm climates. Complete walling is sometimes needed to deter predators.

Major Diseases and Parasites

Serious outbreaks of sheep and goat diseases are common in Ethiopia including: sheep and goat pox; contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP); peste des petits ruminants (PPR); Foot and mouth disease (FMD); pasteurellosis, and anthrax.
Production losses due to disease can be substantial, but they are often less significant than those caused by poor nutrition and internal parasites.
Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is a per-acute, acute, or chronic contagious disease of goats that affects the respiratory system.
Infection occurs through direct contact. Maedi-visna is a highly contagious viral disease affecting goats and sheep that's transmitted mainly by milk ingestion from infected sheep.
Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a viral infection of ruminants and humans. Animals become sick 1–5 days after infection. The disease often interrupts the goat and sheep export market.
External parasites such as ticks, lice, sheep ked, mites, and flies are common. Internal parasites, categorized by location in the animal, include abomasal worms, liver flukes, intestinal worms, and protozoa (coccidia). Descriptions of the digestive system anatomy and the location internal parasites in a ruminant are included.

Strategies for Disease Control

Quarantine to isolate infected and suspected animals.
Vaccination programs to prevent diseases (e.g., pasteurellosis, sheep and goat pox, anthrax).
Controlling biological vectors (insects, birds, rodents) by eliminating them.
Disinfestation of farm equipment.
Disease prevention is more effective than attempts to cure sick animals.
Drenching or spraying is needed to control external parasites during high infestation periods.

Sheep and Goat Meat and Milk

Meat is an important product of small ruminants in tropical countries.
Small ruminant meat is often used for special events or celebrations.
Several factors are crucial for meat production, including the growth rate, total number of animals, efficiency of production, quality and quantify of the meat, and distribution of fat.
Meat processing includes stunning methods (mechanical or electrical), as well as safe food handling during home slaughter and processing.
Sanitation procedures for handling sheep and goat carcasses are recommended. Storage procedures are also specified.
Milk Production: Sheep's milk production is found in only a few locations in the tropics, compared to goat milk, which is more commonly used. The best sheep may produce ~2.5 liters of milk per day, but 1.0 liter is considered excellent. Tropical environmental milk yields averaged around 0.3 liters per ewe per day (50 liters over a 100-day lactation).
Milk Processing: Milk processing techniques include receiving, filtering, standardizing, pasteurizing, chilling, packing, storing and distributing. Goat and sheep milk can be processed into cheese, yogurt, butter, or ghee. Sheep’s milk produces high cheese yields.

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Description

Test your knowledge on indigenous sheep and goat breeds of Ethiopia with this quiz. Explore characteristics, weights, and classifications of various breeds including Afar and Menz sheep. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand these valuable genetic resources.