In this article, feeding and breeding management of small ruminants is discussed. Poor nutrition remains a major factor limiting the productivity of indigenous ruminants in Nigeria. For a viable ruminant industry to be developed, animals must be properly fed.
Though sheep and goats, being ruminants, feed mainly on roughages (grasses, legumes, browse, etc.), supplements are necessary to enhance their productivity. Proper breeding management also improves performance and reduces kid/lamb mortality.
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Feeding Practices for Sheep and Goats
Feeding small ruminants depends on the age of the animal, physiological state (such as lactation and pregnancy), and the quantity and quality of roughage provided.
1. Feeding of Adult Sheep and Goats: Hay or crop residue should be made available at all times in addition to 1–2 kg/animal/day of legume hay such as groundnut haulms, bean pods, or cowpea residue. At this stage, animals require feed mainly for maintenance, and excessive feeding is unnecessary.
2. Feeding of Pregnant Sheep and Goats: In addition to hay, good quality legume hay should be offered at 1.5–2.5 kg/animal/day. Alternatively, concentrate may be provided at 200–300 g/animal/day. Higher feeding levels are especially important during the last month of pregnancy due to rapid foetal growth, which increases the dam’s nutritional needs. Proper feeding during this period:
i. Provides nourishment to the developing foetus, resulting in strong offspring at birth
ii. Enhances udder development and ensures adequate milk production
iii. Builds up body reserves of the dam
iv. Prepares the dam for the demands of parturition.
This enhanced feeding before birth is known as steaming up.
3. Feeding of Nursing or Lactating Females: Feeding should follow a similar pattern to pregnant females, with a slight increase to meet the higher nutritional needs. Hay and concentrate supplements at 300–500 g/animal/day are recommended. Adequate feeding:
i. Increases milk production
ii. Improves offspring survival
iii. Enhances disease resistance in young animals
iv. Promotes faster growth.
4. Feeding of Growing Sheep and Goats: A daily supplement of 0.5–1 kg legume hay/animal, in addition to unrestricted access to roughage, is sufficient.
5. Feeding of Breeding Males (Rams and Bucks): When not in service, males should receive good grazing or crop residues ad libitum plus 1–2 kg of legume hay/animal/day. About a month before breeding, provide good grazing or crop residues plus 300 g of concentrate mixture daily. This practice is referred to as flushing. Flushing in males:
i. Increases semen quantity and quality;
ii. Enhances ovulation in females
iii. Increases chances of twins or triplets
iv. Improves conception rates.
Avoid overfeeding males, as excessive fattening reduces breeding efficiency.
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Breeding Management Practices in Sheep and Goats
Reproductive activity in sheep and goats is influenced by changes in day length. In temperate regions, oestrus occurs mainly from July to October due to significant day-length variations.
In tropical regions like Nigeria, oestrus recurs year-round due to minimal day-length differences. Does and ewes come into heat (oestrus) approximately every 18–21 days if not bred. The oestrus period, when females can accept males, lasts around three days (72 hours).
Common Signs of Oestrus in Sheep and Goats
- Uneasiness
- Frequent urination
- Tail shaking
- Swollen vulva with slight mucus discharge
- Mounting behavior
- Bellowing.
Mating Methods Used in Small Ruminant Production
1. Natural Service
This involves direct mating between a buck/ram and a doe/ewe. In most traditional Nigerian systems where males and females are kept together, mating occurs without restriction. In systems where sexes are separated, observation is essential—especially early in the morning—to detect females in heat.
2. Artificial Insemination (AI)
Though increasingly discussed, AI is rarely practiced in Nigeria due to:
i. Inadequate semen banks.
ii. Lack of preservation chemicals like liquid nitrogen
iii. Shortage of proven male breeders;
iv. Limited technical expertise.
Management of Breeding Does and Ewes
Breeding females are managed in three key reproductive phases:
1. Dry Period (Between Weaning and Next Pregnancy): This period lasts about three months. The female is recovering from previous pregnancy and lactation and preparing for the next. A higher nutritional level should be provided. Flushing during this period increases lambing rates. For natural mating, use a ratio of 1 buck/ram to 20–40 females. In intensive systems using hand service, up to 50 females can be managed per male.
2. Pregnancy (Gestation Period): Gestation in sheep and goats lasts about five months. During the first three months, foetal growth is slow. Increased feeding is crucial during the final 4–6 weeks to meet the growing nutritional demands of both foetus and dam. This period of increased feeding is called steaming up, which:
i. Enhances udder development and milk potential
ii. Reduces mortality of dam and offspring
iii. Leads to heavier, healthier young stock.
Water and mineral supplements should be available at all times.
3. Lactation Period: The feeding goal during lactation is to support milk production to meet offspring requirements. Nutrient demand during lactation is higher than during pregnancy.
Signs of Kidding/Lambing
- Restlessness
- Repeated standing and lying down
- Udder enlargement
- Reduced interest in grazing
- Swollen vulva with mucus discharge.
Privacy should be provided during parturition, and veterinary assistance sought if complications arise.
Management Of Kids and Lambs After Birth
Newborns should suckle immediately to receive colostrum, which contains antibodies essential for early immunity and helps initiate digestion. Colostrum production ends by the third or fourth day post-birth. It’s important to ensure milk is available; if not, a foster mother or milk replacer should be used.
Apply gentian violet (G.V.) to the navel stump to prevent infection. Weaning can take place between four weeks and three months, depending on breed and purpose. For tropical breeds, weaning before three months is discouraged. Creep feed helps transition to solid food. Young animals start nibbling on grass and leaves by 2–3 weeks of age. If the dam dies shortly after birth, artificial colostrum should be used.
Artificial Colostrum Formula:
i. 0.61 liter of cow’s milk
ii. 1 teaspoon of castor oil
iii. 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil
iv. 125 mg of broad-spectrum antibiotic
Feed 250 ml to 1 liter daily for four days.
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