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A Preliminary Report on the Post-Natal Development of the Fiber Characteristics of the Fleeces of Navajo Sheep

United States Department of Agriculture¹

Abstract

Fleece samples obtained from side, thigh, and back of 15 Navajo ewe lambs at periodic intervals of growth ranging from 28 to 364 days were analyzed for percentages of wool, hair, and kemp fibers, and the diameter-distribution of each type of fiber was measured.

Samples at 28 days of growth contained an average of approximately 60 per cent wool, 24 per cent hair, and 15 per cent kemp fibers by count. During the next 56 days wool fibers increased 21 per cent, while hair and kemp fibers decreased 9.5 and 10.5 per cent, respectively. From 84 to 364 days proportions of the three types of fibers remained relatively constant. Side, thigh, and back samples followed the same trend in fiber development.

Differences between lambs were greatest at 28 days of age, but decreased rapidly during the next 56 days and to a limited extent thereafter, which suggests the influence of genetic factors.

Highly significant differences were found between sheep, positions, and ages in percentages of wool, hair, and kemp fibers. Age differences were due to sharp changes in fiber content of the fleeces during early months of growth.

The diameter-distributions of wool and hair fibers did not change significantly during the year, but kemp showed a significant change in this respect between the 28 and 56 day samples.

The significance of these facts is not clear at this time. The study should be continued in conjunction with carefully planned breeding tests.

¹ This study was conducted under authority of the Bankhead-Jones Act, in cooperation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Department of the Interior.