M. E. Mansour, A. H. Sulieman and T. E. Ali *

Sheep Research Station, El Huda, El Managil, Sudan.

The most common measure of growth is the increase in liveweight during specified period of time. However, various measures of size such as height and length are also used. A combination of liveweight and measures of size is more informative than liveweight alone, because it records the changes in shape which occur during normal growth.

The objective of this study was to determine differences between various types of Sudan lambs with respect to liveweight and body measurements during the preweaning period.

The animals used in the present study consist of 44 male lambs of the same age born at El Huda Sheep Research station. These lambs consisted of 19 Shugor, 15 Dubasi and 10 Watish types.

The lambs were identified soon after birth using plastic ear tags. Birth weights and body measurements were recorded within 24 hours after birth. Lambs were kept with their mothers for 60 days at which time they were weaned. During the preweaning period natural pasture, sorghum straw and concentrate feeds were available for the ewes daily.

* Department of Animal Sci., Faculty of Agric., University of Gezira, P.O.Box 20, Wad Medani.

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