Feeding and breeding management are critical aspects of small ruminant production, such as goats, sheep, and other similar animals.
Proper nutrition is essential for their growth, reproduction, and overall health. Small ruminants are known for their ability to convert fibrous feed into meat and milk, making their feeding requirements different from other livestock.
A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals is necessary to support their various life stages, from kids or lambs to mature breeders. Understanding the specific nutritional needs based on age, reproductive status, and production purpose ensures healthy, productive animals.
Effective feeding management should consider factors like forage quality, supplementation, and water availability. Small ruminants primarily graze on pasture, but during periods of scarcity or for improved growth, additional feeds like silage, concentrates, and mineral supplements may be required.
The quality of pasture is crucial as it must contain a variety of legumes, grasses, and shrubs to provide the necessary nutrients.
Supplementation with vitamins and minerals ensures that deficiencies do not hinder growth or reproduction, especially in areas with poor soil quality. Adequate clean water must be provided at all times to avoid dehydration, which can affect productivity and fertility.
Breeding management is equally important in small ruminant farming. Strategic breeding programs that focus on improving desirable traits such as milk production, disease resistance, growth rate, and meat quality should be implemented.
It’s important to monitor the reproductive health of the animals by ensuring they are in good body condition, with proper nutrition and care to promote regular estrus cycles. Artificial insemination (AI) or natural mating, depending on the breeder’s preference and resources, can be employed.
Proper timing of mating, controlled mating ratios, and genetic selection contribute to improving the productivity and sustainability of small ruminant herds.
Managing both feeding and breeding in tandem can lead to optimized productivity and animal welfare. By providing quality feed and employing controlled breeding practices, farmers can enhance their herd’s reproductive performance and overall output.
Regular veterinary check-ups, along with proper disease prevention and treatment measures, also play a vital role in maintaining the health and fertility of small ruminants. In this article you will be studying feeding and breeding management of small ruminants.
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Feeding in Small Ruminant Animals
Feeding of small ruminants depends the age of the animal, physiological sate of the animal (lactation, pregnancy) and the quantity of the roughage being fed.
1. Feeding of Adult Animals: Hay or crop residue should be provided always in addition 1-2kg. Animal/day of legume hay e.g. groundnut haulms, beans pod, cowpea residue. Animals at this stage need feed for maintenance. It is therefore not necessary to over feed them.
2. Feeding of pregnant sheep/goats: In addition to supply of hay, a farmer should feed good quality legume hay at the rate of 1.5 -2.5kg/Animal/day or concentrate can be fed at a daily rate of 200 – 300kg/Animalday.
But higher levels of feeding can be maintained, especially during the last month of pregnancy when the foetus grows very rapidly and causes an increased demand on the mother’s food supply. Good feeding results in the following.
i. Provides nourishment for the developing foetus and usually results in a strong kid/lamb at birth.
ii. Good feeding enhances the development of the udder and ensure adequate milk production of the dow/ewe.It builts up body reserves of flesh on dow/ewe.
iii. It prepares the dam for the difficult task of parturition.
iv. This practice of enhanced feeding just before parturition is referred to a steaming up.
3. Feeding of Nursing or Lactating Females: This group of animals can be fed like pregnant females but the level of feeding should be slightly increase.
This is to ensure that the dam produces enough milk for feeding the offspring. In addition, hay and concentrate supplement should be provided at the rate of 300 -500 gm./Animal/day.
Adequate feeding of lactating does/ewes increases he survival rate of he kid/lambs
Increases the resistance of diseases of the young-ones and ensure a fast growth rate.
4. Feeding of Growers: A supplement of 0.5 – 1kg legume hay/Animal/day in addition to free choice feeding of roughage is sufficient for this class of animals.
5. Feeding of Breeding Males: When males are not in service, they should be maintained on good grazing or crop-residue ad lib plus 1-2kg legume hay/Animal/day.
About a month to being used for service, they should be place on good grazing or crop residue plus 300gm of concentrate mixture. This practice of enhanced feeding prior to breeding is referred to as flushing.This has the following advantages.
i. In males it increases the quantity and quality of semen produced..
ii. In females it increases the number of ova shade.
iii. Ensures a greater chance of turning/triplets in the dam.
iv. Increases the conception rate.
Care should be taken to prevent the overfeeding of the male as this will lead to fattening which is not desired in breeding males.
Breeding Management of Sheep and Goats
Breeding management is essential for the success of sheep and goat farming, as it directly affects the growth, productivity, and overall sustainability of the herd. Proper breeding techniques can help improve desirable traits such as high fertility rates, disease resistance, growth rates, and quality of meat, milk, or fiber.
The key to effective breeding management is understanding the reproductive physiology of both sheep and goats, including their estrous cycles, mating systems, and genetic potential.
In both sheep and goats, the female’s estrous cycle lasts about 17-21 days, and they typically go into heat (estrus) for about 24-48 hours during this cycle. It’s essential to observe the signs of estrus, such as restlessness, increased vocalization, and swelling of the vulva, to ensure timely mating.
Natural mating or artificial insemination (AI) can be used, depending on the farmer’s resources and goals. For effective breeding, it is advisable to introduce a male (ram or buck) to the female herd during the breeding season, ensuring that the male is of good genetic quality and free of diseases.
The timing of breeding is crucial to ensure that lambing or kidding occurs during optimal seasons, typically when environmental conditions are favorable for the survival and growth of the offspring.
Farmers should manage the breeding season based on climate and feed availability, as harsh environmental conditions can lead to high mortality rates in newborns.
Using controlled breeding seasons ensures that lambs and kids are born at a time when there is enough high-quality pasture and supplemental feed to support the growing animals and the lactating mothers.
Genetic selection plays a significant role in improving the herd’s overall quality. By selecting for specific traits such as high milk yield, fast growth rates, disease resistance, or wool production, farmers can gradually enhance the genetic potential of their herd over time.
Inbreeding should be avoided by introducing new genetic material periodically, and it’s essential to keep records of mating patterns and performance data to track and monitor genetic progress. Through careful breeding management, farmers can achieve a more productive, healthy, and profitable sheep and goat operation.
Signs of Oestrus
i. Uneasiness
ii. Frequent urination
iii. Tail shaking\
iv. Swollen Vulva with a little mucus discharge.
v. Sometimes the female could be seen mounting other animals themselves.
vi. Bellowing
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Mating Methods in Small Ruminant Animals
Mating methods in small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, can significantly influence the efficiency of breeding programs and the genetic improvement of the herd.
The primary mating methods used in small ruminants are natural mating, artificial insemination (AI), and controlled breeding. Each method has its advantages and limitations, and the choice of method depends on the farmer’s goals, resources, and available infrastructure. The mating methods include;
1. Natural Mating
This is the most traditional and commonly used method, where a male (ram or buck) mates with females (ewes or does) during their estrous cycle. Natural mating is relatively simple and cost-effective, as it requires minimal technical skills and equipment.
However, it may result in the introduction of undesirable traits if the male is not carefully selected or if inbreeding occurs. To ensure genetic diversity, farmers must rotate breeding males and carefully monitor mating patterns. The male’s health and fertility should be regularly checked to prevent the transmission of diseases and ensure optimal reproductive performance.
2. Artificial Insemination (AI)
AI is a more controlled method of mating that involves collecting semen from a selected male and then artificially inseminating the female at the optimal time of her estrous cycle.
AI allows for better genetic selection since semen from high-quality sires can be used without the need for transporting animals, which is particularly useful in improving specific traits such as milk yield, growth rate, or disease resistance.
AI also helps in preventing the spread of diseases, as it reduces the need for contact between animals. However, AI requires specialized knowledge and equipment, and the success rate may be influenced by factors such as semen quality, timing of insemination, and the skill of the technician.
3. Controlled Breeding
Controlled breeding involves managing the mating process to ensure optimal timing and reduce the risks of inbreeding. This method includes techniques like synchronizing estrus in females, using artificial lighting or hormones, and maintaining strict records of mating schedules.
In controlled breeding systems, farmers aim to have a defined breeding season, which ensures that lambing or kidding occurs at the best time of year for survival and growth of offspring.
Controlled breeding also allows for better management of genetic progress, as it enables the selection of superior sires and dams with desired traits. This method requires more effort and planning but can lead to significant improvements in herd productivity.
Each of these mating methods can be effective depending on the specific needs of the farmer. Natural mating is ideal for small-scale or traditional farms, while AI and controlled breeding are suitable for larger operations aiming for genetic improvement and enhanced productivity.
Farmers can improve the overall quality and performance of their small ruminant herds by selecting the right method and implementing good breeding management practices.
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