Polycerate sheep in Nigeria

Abstract

A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on indigenous flocks of sheep around Maiduguri Metropolis and Jere of Borno State, North-East Nigeria from September, 2016 to March, 2017 to evaluate the frequency and odds of occurrence of Polycerate sheep in Northern Nigeria. Gross examination of a total of 25, 989 sheep of different breeds, age, weight and of either sex was implored. A frequency of occurrence was rated at 0.023 with an odd of occurrence of 1:4330.5 was observed. A total of 4 Polycerate sheep were Ouda breeds and 2 Polycerates were Yankasa breeds while scurs were found mostly on the Balami breed. Findings from the study shows the existence of indigenous viable and productive breeds of sheep with 3, 4, 5 and more horns in the region. Craniographs shows multiple horns originates from the same horn base on the skull on each side and there is evidence of a hard bony core. Campaigns to create awareness on the importance to science and rites, preservation, protection and genetic sequencing of indigenous polycerates as it compares to other polycerates of the world should be organized in the region.