Reproduction and production performance of Moroccan sheep breeds.

Abstract The Moroccan sheep population consists of several breeds. The most important breeds are the D’man, Timahdite, Béni Guil, Sardi, Béni Ahsen and Boujaâd. With regard to reproduction performance, these breeds could be divided into two groups. The D’man breed reaches puberty at an early age, has a long breeding season, a short postpartum anoestrus and a high prolificacy. The other local breeds are not prolific and have a limited breeding season. All the breeds perform similarly in terms of the growth traits. Nevertheless, the Sardi breed has a slightly higher growth rate and good carcass characteristics, while the D’man has a moderate growth rate. Milk yield of local breeds is low, but milk composition is in line with that of other sheep breeds. The milk production is, in general, sufficient to nurse one lamb. Except for the D’man breed that has a low fleece weight, the other breeds have similar and moderate fleece weights. However, wool quality of local sheep is poor.