Egyptian Journal of Sheep and Goat Sciences, (2010) 5(1): 93-100 Growth measures of Libyan goat breeds and their crosses Hermas, S.A.; Ahtash, A.E. and Majid, A. This study was conducted at Bier-Alghanem Experiment Station, 80 km. south west Tripoli. The aim was to assess the growth traits of local breeds ; Mahali (M), Targhi (T), Tibawy (Tb); imported breeds; Cyprus Damascus (D) , Murciano Granadina (S), reciprocal crosses of Local Breeds and crosses of Mahali breed with imported breeds. Traits studied included birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW) and daily gain until weaning (DGW). Analysis of variance (SAS GLM) was used to analyse the data. The model included: year, type of birth, sex and breed or type of crossing where all managed as fixed effects. The results indicated significant effect of year,sex and type of birth (P< 0.05). Local breeds showed no significant differences in preweaning traits but post weaning traits were significantly different (P< 0.05). The reciprocal crosses of local breeds and those of Mahali with imported breeds showed differences indicating maternal and genetic and maternal effects. Large variation within the crosses indicated differences within each breed and that selection within pure breeds could improve the crosses. Key words: goat breeds, crossing, improvement. arabic 8 English 47
Hermas S.A., Abdulkarim E. Ahtash, Majid A. F.(10-2010)

Egyptian Journal of sheep & Goat Sciences Vol. 5, (1) P: 111-101 (2010) Face color effect on growth rate of Libyan Barbary lambs. Ahtash, A. ; Hermas, S. ; Azaga, I. and Kurdi, A. 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 color with white or black built or patches on the head and legs. This study aimed to assess the possible effect of face color on growth rate of Libyan Barbary sheep towards developing improved lines of Barbary sheep according to face color. 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 Ghanem 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 season 2002 and 2003 were used as a base to divide according to face color. 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 color on birth weight of lambs during all seasons, while its effect on weaning weight of lambs was significant. Lambs which was addressed to black face color had the heaviest weight. The factors year, sex and type of birth have significant effects on birth weight, weaning weight and weight 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-color 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. arabic 9 English 47
Abdulkarim E. Ahtash, .Hermas A. S, Ibrahim A. Azaga, ِAbdelraof kurdi(4-2010)