ABSTRACT
The Libyan Barbary sheep Dynasty marked to bear range harsh conditions such as
severe lack of rain in some seasons and the high temperature and therefore its ability to
improve productivity in good environmental conditions. The Libyan Barbary sheep
generally have a white body colour with white or black built or patches on the head and
legs. This study aimed to assess the possible effect of face colour on growth rate of
Libyan Barbary sheep towards developing improved lines of Barbary sheep according
to face colour. The study included also the effect of some other factors such as year, sex
, birth type and age of mother on growth characteristics . This study was carried out at
Bir El Ghanam Research Station located 80 km southwest of Tripoli. The breeding
system in this station extend according to range availability and presence of rain , where
sheep grazed during morning and return by the end of the day. Animals fed on
concentrate feed (14% protein) and barley or wheat straw pasture during the summer
months. Growth rate records for lambs born during the seasons 2002 and 2003 were
used as a base to divide according to face colour. Results show the overall means of
birth weight (3.66 kg) and weaning weight (31.48 kg). Statistical analysis revealed non
significant influence of face colour on birth weight of lambs during all seasons, while
its effect on weaning weights of lambs was significant. Lambs which was addressed to
black face colour had the heavier weight . The factors year ,sex and type of birth have
significant effects on birth weight, weaning weights and weights before and after
weaning, where differences varied from year to year. Male lambs were heavier than
female Lambs and single lambs was heavier than the twins. Therefore, it is worth wise to suggest using face-colour as a base to select lines specialized in the production of
meat. The results of this study stressed the significance of remaining non-genetic
factors like sex, type and year of birth.