Morpho-structural study of the Pelibuey sheep in Yucatan

[paper presented at the Ibero-American Symposium "Conservation of Zootechnical Resources"]

Abstract

The objective of this work is to study the morphostructure of Pelibuey sheep grown in Yucatan (Mexico); for this, we took into account the data basis from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Feeding (stratum I), the Local Specialized Association of Sheep Breeders of Mérida (stratum II) and the Local Livestock Union of Tízimin (stratum III). Twelve morphostructural variables from 369 Pelibuey sheep (coffee, white and speckled) older than a year were measured on each animal. For the data analysis we utilized the program Statistical Analysis System (SAS). From the morphostructural variables studied among the stratums, we observed that Pelibuey sheep from stratums II and III showed higher values than those from the stratum I: live weight (PV), width of head (ACF), length of head (LCF), height to the rump (AGR) and longitudinal diameter (DL). When animals were separated by ecotypes, we found out that all the variables considered did not show significant differences (P>O.05). Based on these results, we concluded that Pelibuey sheep belonging to the stratums II and III showed a great improvement in their body building. This was due to a better zootechnical management these animals received because the producers are organized to obtain profits from animal production.