Evaluation de la productivité des ovins périurbains à Maroua dans l'extrême-nord du Cameroun

Evaluation of the Productivity of the Periurban Sheep at Maroua in the Far North of Cameroon. From 1995 to 1998, 1019 sheep belonging to about forty flocks within a radius of 0.5 - 10 km from Maroua centre were followed up. The main results show that in the various flocks females represent 70-80% of the population. The average litter size and annual reproduction rate are respectively 1.3 and 1.8 . The age at the first lambing is 16.5 ± 2.5 months. The average interval between two lambings is 251 ± 98 days. The average weight at the first lambing is 25 ± 3 kg and the average daily weight gain is equal to 66 ± 39 g. The flocks productivity calculated from a global index is equal to 702 ± 293 g of weaned lambs per kilogram of ewe per year. It varies inversely with the size of the flock. The high exploitation rate shows that the capitalisation is not the main objective of the periurban sheep owners and brings out the great importance of the sacrifice of tabaski or feast of the ram.