Effect of Nutrition, Breed and Seasonal Changes on Skin\Leather Quality of Sudan Desert Sheep

Abstract

This study was carried out on leather/shins at the three main locations of Sudan Desert Sheep: Western Sudan at Kordofan region (latitudes 9◦:30- and 16◦: 30- North and longitudes 24◦ and 32◦: 25- East), Middle Sudan at Gazira state (latitudes 14◦:30- and 33◦: 30- North and longitudes 14: ْ50-and 33◦: 50- East) and Eastern Sudan at Butana plain (Latitude 13◦:40-and 17◦:50- North and Longitude 32◦:40- and 36◦ East) during the period 2012-2013. The main objective is to evaluate the effect of nutrition, seasonal changes and breed on skin\leather quality of Sudan desert sheep. One hundred and fifty (150) pieces of fresh skins from five (5) desert sheep breeds were chosen for the study purpose. For whole variations between the five breeds in two level of feeding (poor and rich pastures) at three seasons (summer, autumn and winter) factorial (3 factors) in RCBD (Randomize Complete Block Design) was used for data analysis. The results revealed that, Physical properties of Sudan desert sheep leather; Fresh skin weight, elongation, tensile strength, cracking, flexibility and tear load were significantly affected (P ≥0.05) by breed, nutrition level and season. Thickness findings were significantly affected (P ≥ 0.05) by nutrition level and season not by breed. Chemical characteristics; Moisture, fat and Tanning level (Chrome oxide content); findings were significantly affected (P ≥ 0.05) by breed, nutrition level and season. Ash content was not affected by breed and nutrition but slightly affected by season. Generally, high quality values were recorded at winter season for most of Sudan desert sheep skin\leather characteristics parameters. While fat and moisture contents high values were observed at autumn season. The present study concluded that all studied Sudan desert sheep breeds produced leathers with chemical and physical characteristics compatible with the quality standards required by the leather industry. The Gezira and Butana breeds tended to produce slightly higher quality leather than the Kordofan breeds. The study recommended that, Sudan Desert sheep leather is stout and has enough strength and with optimum required thickness for making shoes upper, but for it is more elasticity (elongation); which is not desirable for this article; thus, it can be used for diabetic patients shoe's making. The improvements of pastures quality or sheep feeding quality generally, would lead to an improvement in most physical parameters of leather quality.