ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that Pelibuey sheep are found in almost all of the warm-humid areas of Mexico, the population is so small that its contribution to the national livestock economy is limited. Most sheep flocks constitute a secondary activity to beef producers; the breeding stock consists of 40 to 80 females and 2 to 5 males, maintained exclusively on pasture. Pelibuey sheep in Mexico are found mainly on the Gulf Coast, in the Yucatan Peninsula states, and, recently, in the Pacific Coast states. The Pelibuey breed presents a variety of solid hair colors: beige, brown, dark brown, red, white, black, and roan. Conformation characteristics of the Pelibuey sheep include a wide and rounded forehead; the profile can be straight, semiconvex, or convex. From a productivity point of view, it is desirable that the ewe initiate reproductive life at an early age to have the greatest number of lambs during her life.
