Breeds of sheep reared in Kenya

A breed is a group of domestic animals with a uniform appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals of the same species.

 Sheep fall into four broad categories: mutton, wool, dairy and dual (multi) purpose: e.g. mutton and wool, or mutton and milk.

Hair Sheep breeds include: Dorper, Persian Black Head, Red Masai and their crosses with local stock.

Wool and Dual purpose breeds include: Merino, Corriedale, Romney Marsh and crosses of these breeds with local stock.

Hair sheep

1. Red Maasai

They are sheep of the semi-arid regions of Kenya and Tanzania. 

The red Masai sheep are tolerant and/or resistant to the notorious Haemonchus contortus parasite. They are predominantly kept by the Maasai pastoralists and their neighbors. 

 This breed is identified by its relatively large body size and thick red hair. However, when all of the strains are considered, the sheep are multicolored, the most preferred color by the Maasai and therefore the commonest being red, brown and occasionally pied.

 It resists worms and other diseases. The associated lowered mortality rates led to much faster flock growth and productivity. The breed shows resistance bluetongue virus infection and a survives under high trypanosome challenge.

 The average birth weight is 2.7 kg and the average weaning weight is 15 kg. Mature weight for males is on average 45.5kg and 35 kg for females. 

2. Dorper Sheep

The Dorper, is a composite breed of South. It was developed through the crossing of the Blackhead Persian ewes with the Dorset Horn rams. The name 'Dorper' is a coupling of the first syllables of the parent breeds Dorset and Persian.

They are non-selective grazers and fit well in cool climates where they can be used to convert feed resources, which are not utilized or underutilized by other livestock. They have a high lambing percentage. Rams reach sexual maturity at an early age, rams have been observed to start working by five months. Their inherent growth potential is such that they can attain live weight of 36 kg at 3-4 months of age. They have also a very even temperament.

 They have a high degree of disease resistance. 

Dorper sheep are susceptible to gastro-intestinal nematodes (Haemonchus contortus).

3. Persian Blackhead 

The Blackhead Persian is a fat-tailed breed of domestic sheep. The sheep is originally from Somali land. The breed is also a type of hair sheep, meaning they do not grow wool and tolerate heat better than woolen breeds and are raised primarily for mutton. The Blackhead Persian has a white body and, as their name would suggest, an entirely black head.

Both sexes are polled. On average at maturity, rams weigh 68 kg and ewes 52 kg.

 Wool sheep

1. Corriedale

Corriedale is a dual purpose breed for wool and mutton. They have a long life span, and are hardy and evenly balanced all over the body. Corriedales are docile, easy care mothers, with high fertility. They adapt well to a wide range of climate conditions. Their dense fleece is medium-fine and high yielding, with good length and softness. Their lambs produce good quality carcasses and have a high pelt value.

Mature rams will weigh 75 to 120 kgs, ewes can weigh from 55 to 80 kg. 

2. Merino sheep

Merino sheep are found mainly in semi-arid to sub-humid climates in Kenya and at medium to high altitudes under ranching and agro-pastoral management systems.

They are uni-coloured with white coat and fine-wool. They are heavy animals: males have 100 kg mature weight and females 60 kg. 

The breed is adapted to high rainfall grassland regions. Animals of this breed are reported to be less susceptible to fly strike because of their smooth body in comparison to sheep with skin folds.

 The Merino is mainly used for its wool; the fleece weight per year is 5.5 kg.

3. Romney Marsh sheep

The Romney is an open-faced breed with long wool that grows over the legs in full. 

The fleece is of white color, even texture and a good decided staple from top of head to end of tail.

Author: Dr. Paul R. N. Kangethe (BVM, UoN)

Email: [email protected]