Characterization of local sheep production system and morphology in Liberia

Abstract

In this study, we characterized the production system and morphology of local sheep in
Liberia. We gathered husbandry information from 514 male and 190 female sheep farmers
across all three agroecological zones of Liberia. We also described the basic morphological
attributes of 709 female and 189 male sheep. The main motivation for raising sheep is
income (81%) and meat production (14%), with cost and availability of feed (45%), housing
(26%), diseases (18%), and cost of veterinary medicines (7%) being the main challenges.
The predominant sheep breed in Liberia is the Djallonke (82%). Coat colour pattern of
sampled sheep was plain/solid/uniform (61%) or patchy/pied (28%) with a few being
spotted (11%). The sheep had mostly straight facial (79%) profile, were horned (74%) with
straight horns (92%) which were either oblique (48%) or lateral (35%). The sheep had
mainly erect ear orientation (60%) and cylindrical straight tails (83%). The high prevalence
of crossbred sheep and the popularity of exotic breeds call for the need to conserve the
Djallonke breed and/or to implement within breed selection. Community-based breeding
programmes and formation of farmer associations should be encouraged by stakeholders to
facilitate improvements of their animals. This should help reduce the challenges affecting
sheep farmers and encourage especially the youth to go into sheep farming.