ABSTRACT
The Guyana Ministry of Agriculture is developing technology to expand sheep production in Guyana. Sheep research was initiated at three locations during the 1970s with the principal focus at Ebini, Berbice River. Sheep of the Barbados Blackbelly and Creole breeds have been introduced to the Ebini Station, along with some goats. The sheep are performing better than the goats, though mortality rates of young animals are a problem in both species. By 1978, breeding management had been imposed so that lambing occurred during restricted periods. Birth weights of lambs from the smaller dams of mixed breeding were actually slightly higher than those of straight Blackbelly dams. Average birth weights of single lambs were 10.4% of the weight of mature dams of the Creole group; 7.7% of the weight of Blackbelly dams. The survival and growth of the crossbred group of lambs suggest that crossing of Barbados Blackbelly rams with ewes of Creole breeding may be a useful mating plan.
