Determination and Characterization of the Wool Fiber Yield of Kenyan Sheep Breeds: An Economically Sustainable Practical Approach for Kenya

The aim of this paper is to study wool fiber resources from Kenya that have been obtained from different breeds in order to characterize the basic properties of their wool to help improve the economic value of Kenyan wool. The Kenyan sheep industry has received less attention in terms of research and development when compared with large livestock. Wool quality and yield are essential to obtaining good returns in the international market. This study was conducted to analyze the wool yields and qualitative index of Kenyan sheep. The wool samples were taken from 95 crossbreed Dorper sheep comprising 23 males and 72 females between the ages of one and five years. Wool samples from the shoulders, flanks, back belly and legs were taken for analysis. The mean fleece weight was 2.04 ± 0.06 kg, with coefficient of variation of 37% for all the selected sheep; the average for the males was 2.06 ± 0.06 kg and the average for females was 2.02 ± 0.08 kg. The variation in the fleece weight was in the range of 0.7–3.3 kg. The yield percentages and impurities were analyzed and reported. The wide variations in fleece weight, the increase in sheep population and the trend of raw wool export suggests that there is potential for improving economic traits. Kenya can obtain trade benefits related to the wool industry by becoming a member of International Wool Trade Organization and by following economically sustainable practical approaches. It is essential to have good international and regional cooperation with countries that can share knowledge and training as well as marketing and information.

[1]  C. A. Lawrence,et al.  Advances in yarn spinning technology , 2010 .

[2]  S. Hickey,et al.  Effects of Booroola Merino breeding and the FecB gene on performance of crosses with longwool breeds. 1. Effects on growth, onset of puberty, wool production and wool traits , 1994 .

[3]  L. Coderch,et al.  Influence of Internal Lipid on Dyeing of Wool Fibers , 2010 .

[4]  A. M. Okeyo,et al.  Purebreeding of Red Maasai and crossbreeding with Dorper sheep in different environments in Kenya , 2017, Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie.

[5]  R. Hamdaoui,et al.  Variation in Fleece Characteristics of Tunisian Sheep , 2015 .

[6]  B. Cameron,et al.  Effect of Natural and Synthetic Fibers and Film and Moisture Content on Stratum Corneum Hydration in an Occlusive System , 1997 .

[7]  J. Cardina,et al.  Maternal and Burial Environment Effects on Seed Mortality of Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) and Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi) , 2008, Weed Science.

[8]  G. Gowane,et al.  Climate Change Impact on Sheep Production: Growth, Milk, Wool, and Meat , 2017 .

[9]  A. N. Khoso,et al.  Production and Characterization of Wool and Hair Fibers in Highlands of Baluchistan, an Economic and Sustainable Approach for Pakistan , 2015 .

[10]  H. Ansari-Renani.  Fiber Quality of Iranian Carpet-Wool Sheep Breeds , 2012 .

[11]  Michael J. Ryan,et al.  An Outbreak of Rift Valley Fever in Northeastern Kenya, 1997-98 , 2002, Emerging infectious diseases.

[12]  J. E. Algie,et al.  The Effect of Changes in the Relative Humidity on the Electrical Conductivity of Wool Fibers , 1965 .

[13]  J. Dyer,et al.  Wool Keratin-Associated Protein Genes in Sheep—A Review , 2016, Genes.

[14]  I. Baltenweck,et al.  Consumer demand for sheep and goat meat in Kenya , 2010 .

[15]  Nashon K. R. Musimba,et al.  The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi‐arid Kenyan rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock , 2015 .

[16]  S. Hickey,et al.  Effects of Booroola Merino breeding and the FecB gene on performance of crosses with longwool breeds. 2. Effects on reproductive performance and weight of lamb weaned by young ewes , 1994 .

[17]  R. Ballard.  BIDENS PILOSA COMPLEX (ASTERACEAE) IN NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA , 1986 .

[18]  T. Nakajima,et al.  Effect of Reduction and Succinylation on Water Absorbance of Wool Fibers , 2001 .