Sheep and Goat Production Handbook

Transcription

1 Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk This reprt is made pssible by the generus supprt f the American peple thrugh the United States Agency fr Internatinal Develpment (USAID) under Agreement N. AID-663-A The cntents f this reprt are the sle respnsibility f Save the Children and d nt necessarily reflect the views f USAID r the United States Gvernment. 1

2 PREFACE The sheep and gat prducers bklet was cmpiled and prepared by the USAID funded Empwering New Generatin t Imprve Nutritin and Ecnmic Opprtunities (ENGINE) prgram t strengthening prgram supprted vulnerable husehlds indigenus knwledge synergy with mdern husbandry fr better benefit frm sheep and gat rearing. This bklet is a custmized frm f the previusly prepared handbks by FARM Africa Dairy Gat Prject; ILRI (IPMS Prject) Sheep and Gat Prductin and Marketing Systems in Ethipia: Characteristics and Strategies fr Imprvement; the USAID funded Ethipia Sheep and Gat Prductivity Imprvement Prgram and the FAO (2010) Case Definitin f Livestck Disease. In an effrt t ease user understanding, we have used simple language and illustratins wherever pssible. The ENGINE prgram is leveraging the grwing interest in sheep and gat rearing by prjectsupprted grups (vulnerable husehlds). While develping the training curriculum, we fund a general lack f user-friendly training materials. Thus, we were prmpted t prepare this sheep and gat handbk. It is ur bjective that this dcument will be used as reference surce fr vulnerable husehlds and during ENGINE trainings. ENGINE is an integrated nutritin prgram. The sheep and gat supprt is meant primarily fr husehld meat and milk cnsumptin with additinal nutritin pprtunities frm earned incme. Supprted husehlds are expected t translate incme gained frm animal sales int nutritin thrugh develping nutritin riented purchasing behavir. Thus, we have included nutritin educatin int the technical training. Traditinally, sheep and gat management and wnership is suitable fr bth fr men and wmen but incme dispsal is cmmnly the man s right. T vercme this ptential bstacle t better nutritin, gender discussins and training techniques have been included in this handbk. T address the diverse needs t prject staff and beneficiaries, we have made as cmprehensive a handbk as pssible. Currently this handbk includes i) sheep and gat husbandry practices; ii) basic human nutritin; and iii) appraches t gender-related issues. We anticipate updating this handbk as new infrmatin is learned and new situatins arise. The Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk cntains tw majr sectins: 1) Sheep and gat husbandry; encmpassing an intrductin, brief verview f prductin systems, reprductin, herd management, feeding, husing and healthcare. 2) Sheep and gat marketing, which includes nutritin (human) messages and genderbased discussins. The Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk rganized int six chapters in Sectin 1 addressing sheep and gat management (Chapter 1-6) and three chapters in Sectin 2 addressing the sci-ecnmic benefits f sheep and gat rearing (Chapter 7-9). i

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface... i Chapter One: Sheep and gat rearing... 1 Benefits f sheep and gat rearing... 1 Health Benefits... 1 Prductin Benefits... 2 Envirnmental Benefits... 3 Additinal Benefits... 4 Sheep and gat prductin cnstraints... 4 Feed scarcity... 4 Belw average reprductive rate... 4 Absence r inadequate prvisin f credit service... 4 High mrtality rate... 4 Pr market rientatin and lack f access t market infrmatin... 5 Chapter Tw: Reprductin in sheep and gats... 6 Why reprductin is imprtant... 6 Puberty in females and males... 6 Factrs affecting puberty... 6 Effect f Temperature n Reprductin... 7 The Estrus Cycle in Ewes and Des... 7 Detectin f estrus... 7 Inbreeding... 8 Reprductive failures... 8 Herd Ratis: Ram-t-Ewe/ Buck-t-De ratis... 8 Gestatin... 9 Parturitin (Birthing)... 9 Preparatin fr kidding r lambing... 9 Stages f parturitin... 9 Signs f parturitin... 9 Parturitin prcess Prviding assistance during parturitin Chapter Three: Sheep and gat management Care and management f nursing/lactating ewes and des Management f newbrn animals (lambs and kids) Clustrum Care f rphans Grafting rphan lambs/kids Managing kid/lamb mrtality What cause kid/lamb death? Managing yung gats and sheep ii

4 Tail dcking Managing milking/dairy sheep and gats Hand milking Mastitis Stpping lactatin (Drying ff) Keeping milk clean Clean sheep/gats Clean milking area & equipment Clean milkers Why keep recrds? Which recrds t keep? Culling Chapter Fur: Husing fr sheep and gats Husing site selectin Husing design Flr plan Flr cnstructin Rf cnstructin Wall cnstructin Additinal facilities Feed trugh Water trughs Chapter Five: Feeding f Sheep and Gat Sheep and gat feeding habits Nutritinal Requirements Energy Prtein Vitamins Fiber Water What d sheep and gat like t eat? Feeding best practices Need-based feeding practices Feeding sick sheep and gats Feeding mature sheep and gats Feeding rams and bucks Feeding breeding and lactating ewes and des Feeding during pregnancy Feeding lambs and kids Feeding yung stck iii

5 What kind f feed shuld the sheep and gat be given Sweet ptat vines Napier Fdder trees and legumes Maize Hay making Chapter Six: Sheep and Gat flck Health Sick sheep and gat: Hw t identify? Gd management practices and disease preventin Husing and feeding Drenching and spraying Hf trimming Disease preventin prgram Viral and bacterial diseases f sheep and gats Peste des Petites Ruminants (PPR) Cntagius Caprine Pleur-pneumnia (CCPP) Sheep and gat px Pneumnic Pasteurellsis (Ovine and Caprine Pasteurellsis) Anthrax Parasitic diseases f sheep and gats Internal Parasitic Infestatins in sheep and gats External parasitic infestatin in sheep and gats Sectin - Tw Chapter Seven: Sheep and gat ecnmics f prductin and marketing Sheep and Gat farming as a business Prductin Plan Marketing Understanding sheep/gat marketing Marketing analysis Marketing Tips Financing Sheep and Gat business Surces f Finance Assumptins fr sheep/gat prductin: Financial analysis Cashflw statement Chapter Eight: Benefits f Sheep and gat fr human nutritin and Health Nutritin and health benefits Family-member fcus Incme, chices and fd security / nutritin Chapter Nine: Gender in livestck management iv

6 Gender rles and the divisin f labr Gender Analysis Gender cnsideratins in Livestck Management Key Questins fr understanding the rle gender plays in livestck management LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES Figure 1: Female gat preparing t birth ffspring... Errr! Bkmark nt defined. Figure 2: Steps t the birthing prcess in a gat Figure 3: Nrmal Presentatins during birthing Figure 4: Abnrmal presentatins during birthing Figure 5: Udders damaged by disease r natural birth defects Figure 6: A wmen practicing milk bttle- feeding f kids Figure 7: Burdizz instrument fr tail dcking and/r castratin f livestck Figure 8: Squeeze technique fr milking gats and sheep Figure 9: Washing hands with sap and clean water befre and after milking Figure 10: Sample flr plan fr imprved multi-animal husing Figure 11: Rf and wall design that encurages gd ventilatin Figure 12: Height recmmendatin fr elevated frage rack Figure 13: Placement fr elevated water r feeding trughs Figure 14: Lcally made feeding trughs Figure 15: Yung sweet ptat plants. The vines (shwn) are a favred fd f gats Figure 16: Napier grass being grwn with leguminus plants (mucuna) fr better animal nutritin Figure 17: Thinning yung maize plants (tp) fr strnger/healthier plants. Cutting the tp f maize plants (bttm left) t push energy int stem and ear. Applying cmmn salt (bttm right) t stver fr preservatin Figure 18: Achieving the crrect angle f the hf Figure 19: Lcally available vaccines fr bacterial and viral sheep and gat disease including administratin schedule Table 1: Three stages f birth in des and ewes Table 2: Size requirements based n prductin system Table 3: Characteristics f healthy vs. sick sheep and gats Table 4: Sample cash flw sheet v

7 CHAPTER ONE: SHEEP AND GOAT REARING BENEFITS OF SHEEP AND GOAT REARING Sheep and gat rearing has quit many benefits that the sheep prducers can make use f live animals and r its prducts. Amng thers, imprtant benefits are mentined belw Health Benefits Sheep milk Sheep are raised primarily fr their meat and wl, althugh their milk prducts are gaining in acceptance and ecnmical imprtance. Sheep can prduce 2/3 liters f milk daily. Their milk, including sheep-milk prducts, is an imprtant cmpnent f the human diet in many parts f the wrld. Belw is a bulleted discussin f these benefits. Rich in Calcium, Magnesium, Phsphrus, Ptassium and Sdium. It als has small amunt f Selenium, Zinc and Irn Rich in Vitamin A, C and Flate. It has small amunt f Thiamin, Ribflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Pantthenic acid. On average, it is mre nutritius then cw s r gat s milk. Space and feed requirement is very lw cmpared t cattle and minimum risk. Easy t manage by vulnerable husehlds, especially wmen-headed husehlds and thse with high dependency ratis. Table 1: summarizes the nutritinal cntent f sheep and gat milk cmpared t cw, camel, and human milk Gat Milk Milk Variety: Gat Cw Sheep Camel Human Prtein (%) Fat (%) 3.8 3/ Calries/100ml Vitamin A (i.u./gram fat) Vitamin B (u.g./100ml Ribflavin (u.g./100ml) Vitamin C (mg ascrbic acid/100ml) Vitamin D (i.u./gram fat Calcium Irn Phsphrus Chlesterl (mg/100ml) Lactse (%) Ash (%) Ttal Slids Energy (kcal/ liter) ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 1

8 Many cultures arund the wrld drink gat s milk. Mst cmmnly, gat s milk is reserved fr hme cnsumptin, specifically cnsumptin by children; with cw s being reserved fr cash/incme. Other advantages f gat s milk include: Greater quantities f calcium, phsphrus and chlrine than cw s milk Fr sme, gat s milk des nt cause an allergic reactin. Children are cmmnly reared n gat s milk due t high digestibility and/r in cases f reactin t cw s milk. The small size f the fat glbules and the sft curd are favrable qualities because it makes the milk easier t digest. Gat s milk is ften recmmended fr infants, pregnant wmen, peple suffering frm liver disease, allergies r ulcers, r thers with digestive prblems Prductin Benefits Sheep and gats are sme f the mst widely reared livestck arund the wrld. Their lw feed, input, and labr requirements make them a desirable chice fr millins f smallhlders glbally. Sheep and gats are easily integrated int different farming systems. The imprtance f sheep and gats in fulfilling the rle nce played by cattle fr meat, milk and manure prductin is being increasingly recgnized because f shrinkage f available grazing lands, increased climate variability, and increasing cnflict with crp farmers. Feeding behavir Sheep and gats have different but cmplementary feeding habits. Size Sheep are grazers and amenable t herding, hence a species f chice in mixed crpping areas where cereal prductin dminates. Gats are brwsers and highly selective feeders a strategy that enables them t thrive and prduce even when feed resurces, except bushes and shrubs, appear t be nnexistent. Being small-sized animals, sheep and gats require a small initial investment. Sheep and gats are relatively cheap and are ften the first asset acquired, thrugh purchase r custmary means, by a yung family r by a pr family recvering frm a disaster such as drught r war Their small size, tgether with early maturity, makes them suitable fr meeting subsistence needs fr meat and milk. Sheep and gats, nce acquired, becme a valuable asset prviding financial security t the family as well as milk and dairy prducts t the husehld. Fat depsitin Sheep and gats vary in fat depsitin, presumably due t different adaptatin strategies. Gats tend t lay dwn mre internal fat, which is nt assciated with the carcass. Survival rate during drught Cmpared t gats, sheep lay dwn mre subcutaneus and intramuscular fat frm surplus energy. Where carcass fat is a delicacy and fetches a higher price, sheep make an imprtant cntributin t the husehld ecnmy. Sheep and gats have higher survival rates under drught cnditins cmpared t cattle. In general, they have lwer feed and water requirements althugh a gat will surpass a sheep in drught tlerance. Because f their high reprductive rates, flck numbers can be restred mre rapidly pst-lss. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 2

9 Gats are ecnmical in hw their bdy utilizes and cnserves water; an imprtant bilgical feature in drught-prne areas. It is cmmn fr gats t be watered every fur days and still prvide a reasnable amunt f prductin High ff-take Due t their shrt reprductive cycles (shrt lambing/kidding interval) and high incidence f multiple births (particularly fr sme breeds such as the Hrr), there is ptential fr a higher annual ff-take f sheep and gats than seen with cattle. This allws farmers/prducers a quick interval f selling part f their flck and generating cash incme Rural savings bank and inland revenue Cmmnly, rural areas have n frmal banking facilities. Cash resurces are quickly cnverted t livestck as a frm f wealth accumulatin r savings. Sheep and gat, because f their relative value and high security (i.e. survivability) are the asset frm f chice fr millins f smallhlders arund the glbe. In fact, in sme areas, small ruminants have been described as the village bank. Small ruminants represent nly 7% f the average ttal capital invested in livestck in the mixed crp-livestck prductin system, but they accunt n average fr 40% f the cash incme and 19% f the ttal value f subsistence fd derived frm all livestck prductin. Sheep and gats cntribute a quarter f the dmestic meat cnsumptin; abut half f the dmestic wl requirements; abut 40% f fresh skins and 92% f the value f semi-prcessed skin and hide exprt trade. Increased dmestic and internatinal demand fr Ethipian sheep and gats has established them as imprtant surces f Inland Revenue as well as freign currency. High incme earning ptential Fr smallhlder farmers, gats and sheep have high incme earning ptential. Multiple (twins triplets) ffspring (kids/lambs) are typically brn every year and cmmnly twice per year. Husehlds can either easily sell the ffspring r replace their wn reprductive stck r grw their herd. Even fr husehlds with small land-hldings r minimal access t grazing areas, sheep and gats are a viable livelihd. In the space and using the same feed, yu need t keep a cw yu can keep six gats! Husehlds d nt need big areas t graze as cattle require. Because their easy access t markets and large cash payuts (cmpared t pultry), farmers will sell gats/sheep t pay fr medium t large husehld expenses such as schl fees, hspital bills, and crp inputs. Alternatively, farmers can save incme earned frm milk and manure sales t finance these csts. Because f their small size and lw input requirements, sheep and gats are relatively inexpensive t maintain. Drug dses are small because f the animal s small size. This is a gd alternative livelihd pprtunity fr peple wh d nt have a lt f mney t start with/the business can be started with small capital. Envirnmental Benefits Sheep and gats will eat many different plants including plants with relatively lw nutritinal value; making them easier t feed thrugh the year. Besides fuel, drppings are used as manure fr rganic farming; gd t use drppings bth fr hmestead hrticultural prductin and fr staples farmlands. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 3

10 Because they are brwsers, gats gd at keeping bush under cntrl by slwing dwn (i.e. eating) shrub grwth. Additinal Benefits Imprtant fr Scial events Traditinally, sheep and gats are used as dwry payment. This increases their verall value because they have nn-cnsumptive value (i.e. can be sld/traded even if nt ging fr slaughter). Althugh their value remains high thrughut the year, market prices will peak during certain cultural r religius events as sheep and gats are ften eaten during religius festivals r cultural events. Sheep and gats are als imprtant in sme rituals; they are used during circumcisin ceremnies fr example as well as in payment fr land disputes, during leadership meetings, r ther special events. Sheep and gat hrns and bne are used in the traditinal craft industry. Hides/skins are highly valued by artisans, especially if the hide is nt marred with cuts r by insect/parasite damage. Minimal labr requirements Sheep and gats require less labur and time per head cmpared t cattle. SHEEP AND GOAT PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS Sheep and gat prductin and prductivity in rural husehld are cnstrained by many factrs. These cnstraints are nt as great as the challenges assciated with cattle rearing. These cnstraints can be managed. Cnstraints include: Feed scarcity The feed resurce base fr sheep and gat prductin in the rural area is natural grazing and crp residues. Depending n the seasn, the quality and quantity f supply varies. Grazing resurces in the highlands are diminishing due t increases in crpping land, recurrent drught, invasive weeds and vergrazing. Pr feed inputs will reduce reprductive rates and/r infant mrtality. Belw average reprductive rate Typical reprductive rates average as lw as 55 lambs and 56 kids brn per 100 mature females per year in the central highlands. Absence r inadequate prvisin f credit service Obtaining credit can be very difficult fr livestck wners. Credit facilities ften view investments in livestck as high risk and/r as having lw returns. This prevents the farmers ability t expand prductin, purchase inputs, increase stck, etc. Addressing financial illiteracy and wrking with financial institutins can vercme sme f this challenge. High mrtality rate Abut ne-half f all lambs/kids brn die befre reaching reprductive maturity. Annual mrtality in all classes f stck averages 23% fr sheep and 25% fr gats in the central highlands. Causes f death include seasn f birth, lw birth weight, feed shrtage, disease and predatrs. Inadequate animal healthcare Livestck farmers are ften unwilling t invest in animal healthcare (vaccinatins, treatment, prfessinal services) and/r there is a general lack f veterinary services accessible by ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 4

11 smallhlder farmers. Withut cnsistent r timely treatment, mrtality and mrbidity rates are high in lcal herds. Diseased sheep and gats reduced prductin f meat and/r milk, skin and ther byprducts. Disease incurred csts f patient animal treatment. Certain disease cnditins are als causing animals and prducts t be banned frm exprt markets. Lw prduct quality In general, smallhlder livestck farmers are unable t prduce and sell sheep r gats t dmestic market standards. This inability limits livestck prducers incme generating ptential. Smallhlder livestck prducers in Ethipia are als missing pprtunities frm mre lucrative markets. The pr quality f live animals and small ruminant meat and meat prducts prevents penetratin int many exprt markets Pr market rientatin and lack f access t market infrmatin Like many smallhlder livestck prducers, sheep and gat rearing lacks market rientatin and rarely develps beynd subsistence level. Market rientatin is an imprtant driving frce fr increased prductin and imprved prductivity. Sheep and gats are generally trekked lng distances fr marketing, ften withut adequate water and feed. They are als trekked similarly lng distances in search f feed and water. Trekking fr many kilmeters negatively effects meat quality and verall bdy cnditin, which later predispses them t disease and significant weight lss. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 5

12 CHAPTER TWO: REPRODUCTION IN SHEEP AND GOATS WHY REPRODUCTION IS IMPORTANT Reprductin determines several aspects f sheep and gat prductin and an understanding f reprductin is crucial in reprductive management. A high rate f reprductive efficiency is imprtant fr: Herd expansin and replacement Prductin f meat, milk, skin and fiber Replacement f breeding stck PUBERTY IN FEMALES AND MALES Puberty is generally defined as the pint f sexual develpment at which the animal becmes capable f reprductin (becming pregnant and bearing ffspring) but animals may nt be fully sexually mature at this stage and may nt actually cnceive. Sexual maturity is the time when the animal expresses its full reprductive capacity. In bth the male and female sheep and gats, puberty may ften be reached withut adequate physical grwth t supprt reprductin. In females, the first vulatin may nt necessarily cincide with first estrus. Female gats and sheep reach puberty as early as fur mnths althugh they will nt reach sexual maturity until 12 mnths f age. Issues such as weight, breed, genetics, and the seasn effect the female s age f maturity. In males, puberty is the time when cmplete separatin f the prepuce. In the penis in immature rams and bucks, the penis has adhesins that prevent it frm being fully extended. At puberty, these adhesins disslve under the influence f teststerne and the penis can be fully extended. This may ccur as early as 5 mnths. Hwever, full reprductive cmpetence may nt ccur until 15 mnths f age. Factrs affecting puberty Several factrs such as nutritin, bdy weight, breed, seasn f birth and grwth rate are knwn t influence the age at puberty. In mst sheep and gat breeds, attainment f puberty is dependent n achieving satisfactry bdy weight, usually between 40 and 70% f the mature bdy weight. Fr example, a late-maturing breed like the Smali gat is knwn t attain puberty at a later age. Cmplete separatin f males and females during the early grwth perid may delay the nset f puberty. Nutritin is amng the mst significant factrs influencing reprductive develpment and the nset f puberty. Pr nutritin delays first estrus and reduces uterine and varian develpment. Increasing the animal s nutritinal health generally advances the nset f puberty. Overfeeding an animal will decrease subsequent fertility and impair mammary gland develpment. Therefre, care must be taken t avid verfeeding. Energy and prtein restrictin influences age at puberty, with energy restrictin having a greater influence n delaying nset f puberty than prtein restrictin. Different investigatins n the reprductive perfrmance f Ethipian sheep and gats have shwn the fllwing: Ewe lambs f the Menz breed attain puberty at 10 mnths f age and 16.9 kg mean weight r 56% f mature bdy weight. The nset f puberty was earlier in animals with higher weaning weights. Smali kids were 19 mnths and weighed 26 kg at puberty, indicative f a late maturing breed. In Hrr sheep kept under lw-t-high nutritinal regime, age at first mating was reprted t be 206 t 285 days while weight was 18 t 21 kg. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 6

13 Frm n-farm mnitring wrk in Ada District, weight and age at first successful mating fr sheep was reprted t be 20 kg and 8.7 mnths, respectively, while fr gats it was 17kg and 7.4 mnths. Effect f Temperature n Reprductin Increased bdy temperature can lwer the reprductive rate in ewes/des by decreasing vulatin rate, delaying heat cycles r by increasing embrynic mrtality. Althugh physilgical mechanisms in the male assist in regulating temperature, heat stress affects the prcess f spermatgenesis and can render bucks and rams temprarily sterile fr 6 t 10 weeks. Fr these reasns, it is imprtant t assist animals in maintaining bdy temperature, especially during times f the year when ambient temperature is high. A simple prvisin f shade in range prductin systems culd reduce the negative effect f heat. THE ESTRUS CYCLE IN EWES AND DOES Once puberty is reached, large dmestic animals such as sheep and gats display repeated reprductive cycles until cnceptin. The estrus cycle, defined as the number f days between tw cnsecutive perids f estrus (heat), is n average 17 days in ewes and 21 days in des. Detectin f estrus The detectin f estrus is very imprtant when artificial inseminatin is cnducted and when mating is cntrlled, i.e., sires d nt run with females. Fr this reasn, it is imprtant t knw the signs f estrus. Des Ewes When t mate Bleating cntinuusly Swllen red clred vulva Flagging f the tail Frequent urinatin Cervical mucus discharge, which causes hairs t stick tgether Restlessness Munting ther gats and seeking the buck The signs f estrus in the ewe are nt bvius unless a ram is present. As in the de, the vulva is swllen and redder than usual, and there is a discharge f mucus but is difficult t see in a ewe with a tail r fleece. All f the symptms mentined may nt be exhibited by a de r ewe in estrus. The best cnfirmatin f estrus is when the de r ewe stands when being munted. This is cmmnly called standing heat. The duratin f estrus is variable in that it is shrter in yunger ewes and des but lnger in lder animals. Nrmal duratin will be 24 t 36 hurs. A de shuld be mated 12 t 24 hrs after yu have seen her n heat. Heat signs in the afternn, the gat/sheep shuld be mated the next mrning. Heat signs in the mrning shuld be mated in the evening. Seasnality f breeding Lcal breeds f sheep and gats in trpical cnditins are either nn-seasnal breeders r exhibit nly a weak seasnality f reprductin. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 7

14 In the Ethipian highlands, mst cnceptin in sheep and gats ccurs during r fllwing the perids f the shrt rains in March thrugh May. Peak kidding/lambing is bserved in May June n research statins and in August under farm cnditins. Mst results shw that in the absence f nutritinal stress, there are n perids f the year when the whle flck is experiencing animals in estrus. A study cnducted in the central highlands (Ada District) reprted that mst lambing and kidding ccurred during the heavy rains (August September), indicating that mst f the cnceptin ccurred during r fllwing the small rains in March May. INBREEDING When any tw animals are related by bld (i.e. siblings, cusins, etc) are mated this is called inbreeding. Inbreeding shuld be avided as much as pssible. Inbreeding results in weak ffspring, decreased prductivity e.g. milk, birth defects, and even death. Bucks shuld be rtated r mved frm their statins after ne and half years. Farmers shuld keep gd recrds t help knw which animals are related and which nes are nt. REPRODUCTIVE FAILURES The cause f reprductive failures is varied and ften prly understd. Individuals r entire flcks can be affected with acute r chrnic prblems that can have catastrphic cnsequences fr livestck prducers. Depressin f reprductive perfrmance can be bradly classified int: Failure t mate Failure f fertilizatin in mated animals Lss during any stage f gestatin (embrynic, fetal lsses) Nenatal mrtality and subsequent lss ccurring until the time f weaning The greatest ecnmic lsses ccur with late gestatin, abrtins and nenatal mrtalities r pre-weaning deaths. Reprductive failure can als result frm structural defects r functinal disrders affecting the genital tract. In males, the fllwing culd easily be detected: Testicular hypplasia: This is characterized by undersized testicles and very lw semen prductin. It can be diagnsed by semen, testicular palpatin and a high return rate t estrus f females mated t that particular male. This cmmnly ccurs in animals that are actually intersexes Crypt-rchidism: This is a failure f ne r bth testicles t descend frm the abdminal cavity int the scrtum. Crypt-rchidism can be unilateral (failure f ne testicle t descend) r bilateral HERD RATIOS: RAM-TO-EWE/ BUCK-TO-DOE RATIOS Maintaining the crrect rati f fertile rams/bucks and ewes/des is imprtant as it can affect the verall reprductive efficiency. In a year-rund mating system, the fllwing ratis are recmmended: One ram/buck t ewes/des OR Three per 100 ewes/des The age f the breeding ram/buck, the length f the mating seasn and the envirnment in which the animals are kept may influence the rati. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 8

15 GESTATION Gestatin is the perid frm fertilizatin t delivery f the fetus. The average duratin f gestatin perids in ewes and des is cnstant.t sme extent, the gestatin perid is influenced by: Age f the de: yunger ewes and des have shrter gestatin than lder nes Litter size: des carrying twins have shrter gestatin than thse carrying singles Nutritin f the pregnant ewe r de: lw level f feeding n range shrtens gestatin Breeds: small and dwarf breeds have shrter gestatin perids PARTURITION (BIRTHING) Parturitin is the birth f yung gats and sheep, kids and lambs respectively. The gestatin perid is 5 mnths fr gats and 6 mnths fr sheep. During this time, female animals shuld have adequate nutritin including water s as nt t cause harm t the fetus and t make sure the mther has the best health pssible in preparatin fr delivery and lactatin. Preparatin fr kidding r lambing There are three very imprtant rules fr kidding/lambing: Rule 1: Ensure the kidding de r lambing ewe is put in a dry clean and quiet place at the time f kidding r lambing Rule 2: The kidding/lambing place shuld be under a shelter (in the huse) r shade. This is t prtect the kid/lamb frm t much sun Rule 3: The de/ewe must have water as sn as she has given birth s she can make sure she has enugh t balance the lss f water frm giving birth and t have enugh milk t feed the newbrn. Animals ready t delivery are t be kept where yu can see what is happening easily and ften. Stages f parturitin Parturitin is traditinally divided int three stages. These are utlined in Errr! Reference urce nt fund.. Signs f parturitin Des cmmnly display the fllwing signs that they are clse t birthing their ffspring. Errr! Reference surce nt fund. t the right abve shws a female gat exhibiting signs she will delivery her ffspring sn. Restlessness f the de/ewe De/ewe seeks a quiet place away frm ther flck Udder is enlarged, full and firm Muscles either side f tail will becme sunken and n either side f tail a hllw appears Often stand r lie dwn and stretch her neck pinting her head skyward. Enlarged vulva; will have a clear discharge frm the vulva Figure 1: Female gat preparing t birth ffspring ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 9

16 Parturitin prcess The three stages f partitin are detailed n Table 2 belw. Figure 2 (next page) displays, stepby-step, the birthing prcess. Althugh female gats and sheep have been birthing their ffspring fr thusands f years, there are several steps the farmer can take t ease the prcess fr the de/ewe and increase the survival rate f the newbrn kids/lambs. Table 2: Three stages f birth in des and ewes Stage One Stage Tw Stage Three Occurs immediately befre lambing/kidding. It can last up t 12 hurs. The de/ewe islates itself frm the flck, seeking a slitary place; De/ewe will becme restless and uneasy; She will paw and scrape the grund with her hves. She sits and stands; Stretches and strains with her neck skyward when sitting; Frces placenta, fetus, and fluids against the cervix t dilate it; The water bladder appears r has already ruptured; The ewe/de licks the fluid She may wander abut Typically faster and lasts apprximately minutes. Stage Tw is accmpanied by straining (cntractin f abdminal muscle) The lamb/kid nrmally appears frnt feet and nse first. At this stage, the animal is nrmally lying n her side. This stage is cmpleted by full delivery f the lamb/kid. In case f multiple births Stage Tw is nt cmplete until all lambs/kids are delivered. Once the lamb/kid is delivered, the de will lick ff the membrane cvering f the newbrn(s). This uncvers the muth and nse and stimulates breathing. Invlves release/delivery f the placenta nrmally within 4 hurs, and Gradual reductin f the size f the uterus. Keep the kid in a cl dry place away frm t much heat and draught Disinfect the navel f the kids/lambs immediately using a disinfectant e.g. Dettl r tincture f idine Ensure kid/lambs suckle clstrums within minutes after being brn Stimulate mther-kid/lamb bnd by encuraging mther t lick the ffspring In case f breathing prblems, help by tickling the tngue, and remving all mucus frm the nstrils ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 10

17 Figure 2: Steps t the birthing prcess in a gat Prviding assistance during parturitin In a majrity f cases, ewes and des give birth nrmally withut assistance. Hwever, a few may need help, especially first-time mthers. Whenever assistance is required fllw the belw mentined steps: Hygiene, lubricatin and care are mst imprtant when assisting ewes/des during parturitin. Prepare a bucket f clean, warm water with sap. Have available disinfectant, a gd lubricant such as Vaseline, and twels r clean clths. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 11

18 Wash yur hands and arms and wash the vulva and surrunding area f the ewe /de. Wear latex glves if available. There are sme diseases that can pass t humans frm assisting in birth. Apply a gd lubricant and insert yur hand int the reprductive tract t determine the psitin f the lamb/kid. If it is a nrmal birth (Figure 2 and Figure 3a), bth frnt legs (hves pinted up) and the head will begin t appear. In this situatin, yu can lightly pull n the legs when yu feel the ewe/nanny push. Otherwise unless yu see bvius signs f distress (ewe/nanny nt pushing), it is best t let the mther cmplete the task n her wn. If yu feel the legs but n head (Figure 4b), the lamb needs t be pushed in slightly, and the head fund and pulled twards the birth canal befre the lamb/kid can be delivered. If the head is cming but ne r bth f the frnt legs are missing, the lamb/kid will need t be pushed in slightly (Figure 4a) and the missing limbs retrieved and gently pulled twards the birth canal. It is imprtant t take special care and cver the hves with yur hand (i.e. hld in yur palm r inside yur hand) t prevent tearing f the uterine wall. Once in nrmal birth psitin, the rest f the prcess shuld prceed smthly. If yu find hind legs and a tail, this is cnsidered a nrmal psterir (rear) psitin ( Figure 3b), althugh mre stressful fr the ewe/de than the nrmal anterir (frnt) psitin. There is a pssibility that the lamb/kid will take in birth fluids s it is imprtant t check the breathing f the newbrn immediately after delivery. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 12

19 Yu may als cme alng a breech delivery (Figure 4c). Yu knw it is a breech when yu feel a tail but n legs. The lamb must be slightly pushed in and each rear leg needs t be retrieved ne at a time with a lubricated hand. As sn as the lamb/kid is brn, remve all placental membranes and mucus frm the nse s that the yung can breathe. The newbrn can be gently swung frm its hind legs t clear ut mucus frm the lungs and air passages. Figure 3: Nrmal Presentatins during birthing ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 13

20 Figure 4: Abnrmal presentatins during birthing ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 14

21 CHAPTER THREE: SHEEP AND GOAT MANAGEMENT CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF NURSING/LACTATING EWES AND DOES Nursing ewes and des, especially thse nursing twins r triplets, need special attentin. Lactating animals and thse recvering frm giving birth need t be fed sufficient quantities f hay and cncentrate (if available) t meet the high nutritinal and energy requirements during early lactatin. The quality f feed ffered and particularly that f the rughage is imprtant. There is als a need t prvide plenty f clean, fresh drinking water. Lactating ewes and des require duble the amunt f water as nn-lactating animals. Figure 5: Udders damaged by disease r natural birth defects MANAGEMENT OF NEWBORN ANIMALS (LAMBS AND KIDS) The management f lambs/kids starts befre birth. Prper feeding and care f the des during the last trimester f gestatin is necessary t have healthy, vigrus ffspring. Lambs/kids with birth weight within the nrmal range fr the breed can be raised withut much difficulty Lambs/kids with lw birth weight r are weak at birth need special fllw-up, feed and shelter Immediately after birth, the umbilical crd shuld be trimmed if needed using clean scissrs and then dipped in tincture f idine; the recmmended cncentratin is 7% tincture f idine. As much as pssible, prtect newbrn lambs/kids frm cld, rain and wind. Mthering instinct in primiparus mthers (first kidders/lambers) ften needs sme time t fully develp. D nt handle lambs/kids t frequently immediately after birth and let the des lick and recgnize them prperly. In rder t ensure the establishment f firm de-ffspring relatinships, the des and their ffspring shuld be cnfined tgether sn after birth r stay arund the hmestead fr at least 4 days. If the lamb/kid is nt licked dry r is brn in a wet/windy place r des nt cnsume clstrum immediately, it will develp hypthermia (very lw bdy temperature), especially if small in size (triplet, premature, mther malnurished) If the lamb/kid is shivering r has a cl muth and extremities and is nt suckling, dry the lamb/kid with a clth. The lamb/kid may need t be warmed with a heat surce r with a ht water bath r warming bx, particularly if bdy temperature is cl. If nly ne f a twin birth needs t be remved fr feeding r warming, it is best t remve bth ffspring. If ne is left, there is the risk that the de will nt accept the treated ne when it is returned ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 15

22 If lambs appear thin and weak, check the ewe t see if she is milking. Check fr mastitis in the teats, whether the teats are pen, and/r if she has claimed the lamb. Hand feed the lamb with clstrum r milk replacer (if available) if any ne f these prblems is bserved. Clustrum Intake f clstrum, the "first milk, is crucial fr successful rearing f lambs/kids. What is special abut clstrum? Clstrum cntains a high level f nutrients imprtant fr lamb health and perfrmance. Clstrum als cntains a high level f antibdies against a variety f infectius agents. At birth, the lamb/kid des nt carry any antibdies because antibdies in the ewe's bldstream d nt crss the placenta. Clstrum strengthen disease defense mechanism. It has t be fed during the first 24 hurs; feeding clstrum later than this perid ffers little r n advantage. This is because the intestinal wall f the newbrn is nly permeable t antibdies (large prtein mlecules) during the first 24 t 36 hurs and absrptin is mst efficient during this perid. If the ewe/de has inadequate clstrum, cw clstrum can be given. Nrmally, the newbrn stands and suckles within 30 minutes f birth. If yu d nt see the newbrn standing after an hur, it is wise t assist the newbrn t stand and nurse s they can get the clstrum. Grwth f the yung, particularly during the first weeks f life, is entirely dependent n milk f their mthers. Fr this reasn, it is imprtant t ensure that des prduce adequate milk. The health and structure f the udder shuld be examined. Faulty udders may mean insufficient milk prductin fr adequate lamb/kid grwth (See Figure 5). Newbrn lambs/kids are pre-ruminant animals in the early stage f develpment. It will take usually 6 8 weeks fr the rumen t develp. When cncentrate feed r hay is ffered, cnsumptin starts at abut 2 3 weeks f age. Access t palatable and digestible rughage feed r cncentrate is essential as it stimulates early develpment f the rumen. It is recmmended that frage be chpped and given t kids, and when pssible cncentrate feed shuld be ffered but nt in a dry frm. Figure 6: A wmen practicing milk bttle- feeding f kids CARE OF ORPHANS In cases where a newbrn lses r is rejected by their mther, try t fster rphans t dcile des/ewe fr nursing (grafting). If this is nt an ptin, expressed milk r cmmercial milk replacer can be fed by a bttle. Alternatively, sweet ptates vines can be used t feed rphan animals. Grafting rphan lambs/kids Grafting is defined as giving a lamb/kid t anther ewe/de. In cases f twins, always graft the strnger lamb, as the prblem ewe/de will nrmally take care f the smaller ne. An experienced mther will accept a newbrn cvered with birth fluids immediately after ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 16

23 delivering her wn lambs/kids. If lambs/kids aren t being cared fr by their mther r are nt receiving an adequate amunt f milk, they may becme rphan lambs. The sner this is detected the higher the chance f survival. Techniques t facilitate grafting include: Bathe the graftee in amnitic fluid frm the new mther (if available). A wden stanchin (r head/neck press) t hld the ewe/de in place while the rphan nurses may result in adptin in 7 10 days. If an rphan is lder, tying its legs tgether s it appears helpless may help. If all this fails, the lambs/kids will have t be raised artificially: Feed cw s milk. If they are newbrns, they need t be fed frequently, i.e., 5 6 times daily After the lambs/kids are days f age, they may be fed nly 3 4 times per day and ffered creep feed. MANAGING KID/LAMB MORTALITY What cause kid/lamb death? Mrtality f lambs and kids is ne f the main factrs adversely affecting sheep and gat prductin. Lsses are usually as high as 50% f the lamb/kid crp. An essential factr affecting return n investment in sheep and gat prductin is pre-weaning mrtality. The highest lsses usually ccur during the first 30 days f life. Causes f mrtality are related t management and prductin system. Sme f the reasns fr death f newbrn and yung animals include: Lw birth weight Lw envirnmental temperature at birth r shrtly Litter type (single r multiple) Diseases and accident Seasn f birth Inadequate clstrum cnsumptin Inadequate milk prductin f the de Predatrs Hw t reduce kid/lamb mrtality? Reducing kid mrtality fcuses n tw key issues: Imprving birth weight f newbrns by supplementary feeding f pregnant animals during the third trimester f pregnancy Fllwing standard hygienic practices t prevent/reduce incidence f diseases that affect yung animals MANAGING YOUNG GOATS AND SHEEP Tail dcking Tail dcking is nt a cmmn practice in Ethipia except in sme parts f the cuntry, e.g., Gjjam and sme parts f Arsi, and it is nrmally dne fr ewe lambs nly. Steps t tail dcking are: A Burdizz (Figure 7) instrument is used t crush the tail between the vertebrate jints befre 2 days f age. The tail is then cut ff with a knife ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 17

24 Spraying the wund with antiseptic pwder is recmmended t prevent infectin Althugh castratin and tail dcking can be used as management tls, sme cmmunities d nt accept meat frm dcked r castrated sheep r gats. Fr instance, the Muslim Festival f Sacrifice requires unblemished lambs. An unblemished lamb is ne that has nt been dcked, castrated, r had its hrns remved. Nte that a sheep s tail has a purpse. It prtects the sheep's anus, vulva, and udder frm weather extremes. Because f this, care shuld be taken while dcking. Tails must be left lng enugh t cver the ewe's vulva and the ram's anus. Dcking has the fllwing purpses: Even distributin f fat n the carcass Easier ewe mating/breeding Preventin f fecal matter frm accumulating n the tail and hindquarters f sheep and lambs Reduced fly strike (wl maggts) Castratin In mst cases, nn-breeding males and males nt slaughtered at a yung age need t be castrated. Castratin is dne t cntrl mating by preventing inbreeding and inferir males frm breeding, r fr prductin f fattened carcass. Male gats that will nt be bred shuld be castrated early in life (in the first 2 mnths) and kept fr meat. The main effect f castratin is n the cmpsitin f the carcass and weight develpment. In general, the fllwing effects are nted: Carcasses frm castrated sheep/gats have mre fat tissue Castratin culd retard grwth and reduce the quantity f lean meat if dne late (after 6 mnths) In the case f gats, meat frm castrated males has n gaty smell as des the meat frm entire bucks Weaning The weaning perid is the time when lambs/kids stp feeding n liquid milk r milk replacer. Decline f maternal antibdies and the stress f weaning appears t predispse kids t respiratry infectin. Retardatin f grwth cmmnly knwn as weaning shck is cmmn fllwing weaning but every effrt shuld be made t reduce it as excessive retardatin might nt be cmpensated fr at later stages. Weaning typically takes place between 4-6 mnths f age. Althugh age is a gd indicatr f weaning times, bdy weight is the best indicatr. Yung can be weaned successfully nce the birth weight has increased 2.5 times. After weaning, lambs/kids depend entirely n dry feed. This change must be gradual t avid lsses due t faulty feeding management. Let kids try hay and Figure 7: Burdizz instrument fr tail dcking and/r castratin f livestck Entertxaemia is caused by tw strains f bacteria called Clstridium perfringens the strains are termed types C and D. These bacteria are nrmally fund in lw numbers in the gastrintestinal tract f all sheep and gats; laying lw in the small and large intestine that is, they are present in relatively lw numbers. The change that triggers disease is ften an increase in the amunt f grain, prtein supplement, milk r milk replacer (fr lambs and kids), and/r grass that the sheep r gat is ingesting. These feeds are rich in starch, sugar, and/r prtein. When unusually high levels f these nutrients reach the intestine, Clstridium perfringens underges explsive grwth. As the rganism grws in number, it releases very ptent txins (bacterial pisns) that cause damage t the intestine as well as numerus ther rgans. This can result in fatalities, particularly in the nn-vaccinated animal r in the newbrn lamb r kid whse dam has nt been vaccinated. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 18

25 grains early in life t strengthen their stmachs. When kids/lambs start eating fdder they will suffer high wrm infectin s they need t be dewrmed after expsure. When given cncentrates kids are likely t suffer Entertxiemia (see Textbx t right) s yu will need t vaccinate against these diseases. D nt stp feeding milk suddenly but this shuld be gradual t avid indigestin r blat. MANAGING MILKING/DAIRY SHEEP AND GOATS Hand milking The majrity f smallhlder farmers acrss Ethipia milk their animals (gats, sheep, cattle, camel) by hand. Gd milking is dne by the squeeze methd. This technique mimics the nursing technique used by yung animals and, if dne crrectly, can hygienically express the majrity f the milk. Avid the pulling technique as it hurts the udder and the teat and udder will get a mastitis infectin Milking technique - squeeze 1) Wash hands and teats/udder with clean water. (Figure 8, 1 & 2) 2) Take hld and squeeze the base f the teat with the thumb and frefinger t trap the milk in the teat. (Figure 8, 3) 3) Clse the ther three fingers in a dwnwards mtin with the tpmst finger grasping arund the teat fllwed by the secnd and then the third. (Figure 8, 4 6) 4) The milk in the teats is squeezed dwnwards and nt pulled. Squeezing slwly dwnward makes the milk cme ut. 5) Repeat this in a rhythm and quickly; using the full hand t avid finger and thumb striping. (Figure 8, 7-9) 6) This shuld take abut 7 minutes. S be quick s that yu get as much milk as pssible. Figure 8: Squeeze technique fr milking gats and sheep ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 19

26 Precautins T ensure the best quality milk pssible the fllwing practices are recmmended: Always huse/pen the de and the serving buck in different pens t prevent smell in the milk Make the milking premises far frm the buck pen Wind directin shuld be frm milking premises t the male pen and nt vice versa Wash milk equipment with ht water rinse and dry n a rack immediately after milking Avid giving feeds with strng smells just befre milking and during milking e.g. silage, pineapple, waste etc t avid tainting the milk Use f sprays/ils/saps with smell by milker will taint the milk In additin t gd milk hygiene, these recmmended practices will keep yur des and ewes healthy and highly prductive: Always be calm, friendly t the de/ewe and milk at the same time every day Maintain similar milking psitin (back psitin r side psitin) If pssible same persn shuld milk always The nails n the hand f the milker shuld be shrt Measure and recrd yur milk immediately The hair n the flanks and arund the udder shuld be trimmed regularly and the gat brushed ccasinally After milking Irregular milking can lead t lw yields and increased chance f mastitis. It is imprtant t keep a cnsistent twice-daily milking schedule. T prevent mastitis, full draining f the teat is recmmended. The kid shuld be allwed t suck the milked teat after milking fr prper emptying f teat canal After milking use a teat dip cntaining a suitable antiseptic e.g. tincture f idine Mastitis Mastitis, r a bacterial infectin f the teats and udder, is a cmmn but cmpletely avidable prblem. It causes great pain t the animal, makes the milk un-cnsumable, and, if nt treated, can lead t serius illness r death. Mastitis can reduce yields by at least 10% Mastitis preventin and cntrl best practices include: Gats r sheep with mastitis shuld be milked last t prevent the spread f the infectin t ther gats Treatment f sick animals with antibitics Islatin f milking sheep r gat with mastitis Milk frm sick dairy gat r sheep, especially breeding sheep and gat with mastitis shuld nt be sld but be discarded Stpping lactatin (Drying ff) On average, a lactating sheep and gat will prduce milk fr days respectively. The animals breed, age and nutritinal status will greatly affect the length f the lactatin perid. Fr ptimal animal health and best perfrmance in the next lactatin, lactating animals shuld have an pprtunity t rest and regenerate mammary tissue between lactatins. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 20

27 Animals shuld be dry fr 45 t 60 days. This is sufficient time t rest and regenerate mammary tissue. If animals have prlnged dry perids, they run the risk f becming bese, experiencing besity-related diseases and having difficulty birthing. If a de r ewe has been served and is pregnant a drying ff perid is recmmended during the 4th and 5th mnth f gat s pregnancy and 5th and 6th mnth f sheep pregnancy as the embry s gains weight rapidly. Recmmendatins fr drying-ff are: Preparatin fr dry ff shuld begin at least tw weeks prir t the dry-ff date with a significant change in the animal s diet. Slwly reducing the energy cntent f the diet and feeding primarily a high-fiber diet will reduce the nutrients available fr the animal t make milk; this is ften all that is needed t reduce milk prductin t a level that makes dry ff safe and simple. Abrupt dry-ff: After animals have been n a high fiber, lw energy diet fr abut tw weeks, their udder shuld be assessed fr level f cntinued milk prductin and mammary health. If all seems well, abrupt dry ff shuld be implemented. This means the animal is milked (by a human r its ffspring) a final time, then nt again until the next birth and lactatin. Gradual dry-ff: The de r ewe is dried gradually i.e. milking is dne nrmally but the amunt milked at every subsequent milking is reduced gradually until finally ne stps. This prevents develpment f milk clts. During this perid, des and ewes shuld be hused alne t avid disturbance by the ther flck. Figure 9: Washing hands with sap and clean KEEPING MILK CLEAN water befre and after milking Clean milk prductin is crucial fr the safety and health f bth the milking animals and the human cnsumers f the milk. Prducing clean milk means clean animals, a clean milking area, and clean milkers. Clean sheep/gats Befre milking the udder shuld be washed with clean water which has disinfectant added t it Use tw clths alternatively fr washing the udders. Leave ne in the disinfectant whilst the ther is in use. The first drp f milk frm each teat shuld be thrwn away as it has a very high bacteria cunt Clean milking area & equipment The milking shed shuld be cleaned after each milking and disinfected Clean milkers The mst imprtant thing t d is keep yurself clean. Peple wh are ill shuld nt milk. Befre starting milking, the milker shuld wash his/her hands, arms with sap and ht water, r disinfectant Keep finger nails cut and clean ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 21

28 Recrd keeping Why keep recrds? Farmers arund the wrld are encuraged t keep recrds. Often it is nt understd why a farmer shuld keep recrds and what recrds they shuld keep. The advantages t recrd keeping include: Helps yu t knw yur gats Recrding increases animal values and therefre sales incme Recrding prmtes increased milk yields Recrding prmtes imprved genetic merit Helps yu t manage yur animals well Which recrds t keep? A farmer shuld keep simple recrds f Birth dates Birth weights Sire and de Milk recrds Treatment recrds Service dates Gd recrd n service date will help yu calculate the expected date f birth. CULLING Yu can knw the expected date by cunting 5 mnths and 6 mnths frm the date f service and take ff three days fr gat and sheep date f birth respectively. Culling, r selectively remving and slaughtering members f the herd, is a methd used t imprve the verall prductivity f the flck. Althugh reasns fr culling culd be different fr different systems and agr-eclgies, the fllwing management practices are highly recmmended: It is essential t intensively cull ewes/des after 5 6 years f age. This strengthens the verall reprductive health and grwth ptential f the herd. It is imprtant t detect barren ewes r des in the flck. Because they d nt cntribute t the herd, these animals shuld be sld r culled. Habitual abrters shuld be identified early and culled. This is f significance as abrtin caused by Brucella bacteria can be transferred t healthy animals within a shrt perid f time ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 22

29 CHAPTER FOUR: HOUSING FOR SHEEP AND GOATS Imprtance f building sheep and gat huse: Animals d nt get sick very ften Yu can make sure that nly the animals yu want t breed d s Make it very easy t feed Stp wasting feed Save the sheep and gats wasting energy and increase the amunt f milk yu get Keep gat s feet dry and clean all the time HOUSING SITE SELECTION Due cnsideratin shuld be given t the fllwing pints in site selectin fr a sheep and gat huse Drainage: The area shuld be slightly slped fr effective drainage Wind directin: Animal huses shuld be partially r ttally prtected frm the directin f strng wind depending n the wind intensity f the area. Climatic factrs: Such as temperature and rainfall Envirnmental factrs: Livestck husing shuld nt be placed within 10 meters f springs, rivers/streams r ther water bdies. HOUSING DESIGN Having an apprpriate design fr sheep and gat husing is crucial prir t beginning cnstructin. Husing design shuld be practical, cst saving, and prtect the health f bth animals and peple. Key design features include; the flr plan, flr cnstructin, wall cnstructin, rfing, and ther additinal facilities Flr plan Figure 10: Sample flr plan fr imprved multi-animal husing Husing fr gats and sheep shuld be practical, easy t build, and prtect the health f the animals. Multiple pens can easily be put under ne rf. Pens shuld have easy access t the utside, a place fr water and feed, and be easy t clean. Figure 10 utlines a simple design that gives yung animals access t their mthers, and has easy access fr feeding and waste remval. Flr design is particularly imprtant in wet climates, where dung and urine n a damp flr make ideal cnditins fr the multiplicatin f disease-causing rganisms. In particular, kids and lambs are very susceptible t pneumnia and it is wise t avid damp and prly ventilated huses. Specific flr plan recmmendatins are: Huse shuld be raised 50 cm (r just belw knee height) frm the grund Ventilatin is gd and dung and urine drp thrugh the flr, preventing build-up and reducing risk f disease spreading ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 23

30 Table 1: Size requirements based n prductin system Type f Husing Space (m 2 /animal) Breeding Female Breeding Male Yung Stck Additinal Permanent cnfinement (zergrazing) Night husing with day-time grazing Exercise yard, feed racks, watering trugh Where slatted flrs cannt be cnstructed and cncrete r earthen flrs are used, it is imprtant t cntrl temperature f the flr and avid muddiness Flr cnstructin In such cases, bedding materials may be used. Straw r wd shavings r any material that can absrb misture can be used fr this purpse The flr shuld be slped, prus r slatted fr water drainage. A minimum flr slpe f 5% is recmmended; that is, fr every 1 m there shuld be a fall f 5 cm Huses with raised, slatted flrs have a number f advantages including keeping the flr clean and dry The spaces between slats need t be big enugh t allw manure t drp easily, but small enugh t prevent feet frm passing thrugh. A spacing f 1.5 cm is ptimal fr adult sheep (slightly narrwer fr gats). Fr yung lambs, 1.3 cm is enugh Flrs may be made frm stnes r bricks. With all flrs, ease f manure remval and dispsal shuld be given attentin Rf cnstructin The rf is imprtant as it prtects animals against the sun and rain. The under-surface f the rf shuld remain cl and watertight. T ensure adequate ventilatin, the height f the rf and the design shuld be cnsidered. A high rf encurages air mvement but is mre likely t be damaged by strng winds In sme cases a design with a chimney r rf vent culd be useful t assist ventilatin and remve ammnia that culd easily accumulate Figure 11 utlines ne rf/wall design that encurages the cntinuus flw f air. The fllwing materials are used fr rf cnstructin in different lcatins: Irn sheet Grass/bushes Wd Stne/brick Earth The majrity f huses have rfing made f grass/bushes Figure 11: Rf and wall design that encurages gd ventilatin ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 24

31 Wall cnstructin In rural areas, animal husing is cmmnly built with wven plant materials r the same mud/wattle human husing is cnstructed frm. These styles are nt undesirable as lng as they prvide apprpriate ventilatin t remve heat, misture and pllutants s that animals stay cl, dry and clean. Sme pints t cnsider befre building yur animal shelter: Outer walls prtect the animals frm external influences while separatin walls within the huse prevent mixing amng the animals. Attentin needs t be given t cnstructin f pens within the huse. Pens serve as a means f cntrlling animals and fr management purpses, such as cntrlling breeding. Areas fr lambing/kidding and islatin f sick animals shuld be included. ADDITIONAL FACILITIES Feed trugh Feeding animals n the grund in a cnfined space encurages disease transmissin and feed waste. Fdder shuld nt be put n the grund fr sheep and gats. Instead a feeding rack shuld be included in the pen. Different feeding rack/trugh styles are shwn in Figure 14. Feeding rack fr frage/fdder (Figure 12):One meter (3 feet) abve the platfrm with a width f 30 cm and a depth f 15 cm Apprximately 30 t 40 cm per animal space is the minimum Wden trughs can be created frm cnstructin rafters r lgs. (Figure 14) Metal trughs can be made frm sheet metal r a half-cut barrel (Figure 14) Water trughs Cnfined gats and sheep shuld be ffered clean water daily. Mst smallhlder farmers will carry water t their animals (if cnfined) 2-3 times per day r trek the animals t a water surce twice daily. Lactating animals have the highest water needs f any animal. On average, Gats can be expected t cnsume 3-7 liters/animal/day and Sheep 3-5 liters/animal/day. Water trughs can be made frm a variety f supplies. Watertight tins, buckets r bwls can be adequate. Any type f watering trugh used shuld be easy t clean and ideally lifted ff the flr t prevent spillage and cntaminatin with feed r fecal matter (Figure 13). Water trughs can be placed 1 ft abve the flr in the feeding area, r Hung in a 5 liter tin n the dr/wall ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 25

32 Figure 14: Lcally made feeding trughs Figure 13: Placement fr elevated water r feeding trughs Figure 12: Height recmmendatin fr elevated frage rack ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 26

33 CHAPTER FIVE: FEEDING OF SHEEP AND GOAT SHEEP AND GOAT FEEDING HABITS The biggest difference between sheep and gats is their fraging behavir and diet selectin. Gats are natural brwsers, preferring t eat leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. They are very agile and will stand n their hind legs t reach vegetatin. Gats like t eat the tps f plants. Gats prefer t eat feed at a height f cm Gats require a mre nutritius diet. Sheep are grazers, preferring t eat shrt, tender grasses and clver. Their dietary preference is frbs and they like t graze clse t the sil surface. Sheep will graze fr an average f seven hurs per day, mstly in the hurs arund dawn and in the late afternn, near sunset. When supplements are fed, it is best t feed them in the middle f the day s that nrmal grazing patterns are nt disrupted. NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Sheep and gats d nt require specific feedstuffs. They require energy, prtein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water. Energy Energy makes up the largest prtin f the diet and is usually the mst limiting nutrient in sheep diets. Carbhydrates, fat, and excess prtein in the diet all cntribute twards fulfilling the energy requirements f sheep. Carbhydrates are the majr surces f energy. Cncentrates (grain) cntain starch, which is a rich surce f energy. Frages cntain fiber r cellulse, which is nt as rich in energy as starch. The majr surces f energy in a gat sheep's diet are pasture and brwse, hay, silage, and grains. Energy is quantified in the ratin in many ways. The simplest measure is TDN r ttal digestible nutrients. Metablizable energy (ME) and net energy (NE) values are mre accurate measures f energy in a sheep's diet. TDN is usually used t frmulate ratins fr breeding animals, while the net energy system is usually used t calculate diets fr grwing lambs. Prtein Prtein is usually the mst expensive part f the diet. Since the rumen manufactures prtein frm amin acids, the quantity f prtein is mre imprtant than the quality f prtein in a gat r sheep's diet. Prtein requirements are highest fr yung, grwing kids/lambs that are building muscle and lactating des/ewes that are prducing milk prteins. Thugh levels vary, grains are usually lw in prtein. Urea is the mst inexpensive surce f prtein r dietary nitrgen. Other surces f prtein include sybean meal, sunflwer meal, cttnseed meal, whle cttnseed, whle sybeans, peanut meal, canla meal, fishmeal, and alfalfa pellets. Legume hays, when they are harvested in the early t mid-blm stage are intermediate surces f prtein. Calcium and phsphrus Calcium (Ca) and phsphrus (P) are interrelated in the develpment and maintenance f the skeletn. Deficiencies may result in rickets. An imbalance f Ca and P in the diet can cause urinary calculi in male animals. The calcium in mst frages is usually adequate t meet the needs f sheep/gats. Deficiencies f calcium mst ften result when high-grain diets are fed. The rati f calcium t phsphrus in the gat/sheep's diet shuld be at least 2:1. Vitamins Gats and sheep require vitamins A, D, and E. Vitamin A is absent in plant material, but is synthesized frm beta-cartene. Vitamin D is required t prevent rickets in yung animals and ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 27

34 stemalacia in lder animals. B-vitamins are nt required in the diets f ruminants because they are synthesized in the rumen. Vitamin K is essential fr bld cltting. Fiber Fiber adds bulk t the diet and keeps the sheep's rumen functining prperly by increases ruminatin and salivatin. Water Water participates in nearly all bdy functins and is the mst imprtant "nutrient," thugh ftentimes the mst neglected aspect f feeding gat r sheep. A gat r sheep will cnsume anywhere frm 3-12 liters f water per day, depending upn its physilgical state and the envirnmental cnditins. WHAT DO SHEEP AND GOAT LIKE TO EAT? Bth gats and sheep are selective eaters. Althugh their diets are diverse, they are specific in their chice f plants and parts f plants. Bth species like diversity in their diets and will becme bred if they have the same thing t eat every day this is especially true fr cnfined r semi-cnfined animals. Because bth species are selective in what they eat, they will eat their preferred plants and parts f plants first making them very wasteful eaters. Fr example, when given un-chpped feeds like Napier grass gats will eat the leaves nly and waste the stem. Gats and sheep are als clean feeders they will nt eat feeds that are nt fresh, have been trampled n, r are smehw viewed as dirty. (e.g. grass with mud splash frm rain) Gats and sheep prefer nt t eat sticky, mldy r wet dusty feeds. Sheep preferences: Mstly sheep eat grass, clver, frbs, and ther pasture plants. They especially lve frbs. It is usually their first chice f fd in a pasture. A frbe is a brad-leaf plant ther than grass. It is a flwering plant. Frbs are ften very nutritius. As cmpared t cattle, sheep eat a greater variety f plants and select a mre nutritius diet, but less s than gats. Gat preferences: The gat has very sensitive lips and their natural curisity gives them a habit f "muthing" and "smelling" fr fd that is clean and tasty. FEEDING BEST PRACTICES Given the behavirs and nutritinal requirements f gats and sheep. We recmmend the fllwing Best Practices fr feeding gats and sheep. Feed nly clean, fresh and dry fdder that des nt have mld, excessive dust/dirt. Dusty feeds and cncentrates shuld be wetted a little If yu use mlasses t make feed taste better d nt use t much it will make feed stick Chp/Cut frages t prevent waste Always have fresh water fr sheep and gats t drink at any time. Prvide a Mineral Lick [blck] always t all gats Clean the feeding trugh and water bucket every day. Prvide a diverse diet f feeds such as grasses and legumes, tree leaves and fresh kitchen remains. Mix feeds with grass hay, straw r Napier t balance ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 28

35 Only 1/3 f the days feed can be leucenea. D nt feed t much leucenea, it can pisn the gats D nt feed t much leguminus feed such as desmdium Fr cnfined animals, feed sheep and gats at least 3 times a day and at the same time every day. Leave sme feed in the feed trugh r rack r hanging t be eaten vernight. If it is placed directly n the grund, there is a chance the feed will be wasted because the animals have trampled n it and/r siled it. NEED-BASED FEEDING PRACTICES As was discussed abve, sheep and gats have different preferences and dietary needs. Hwever, even within ne species, the dietary needs f individual animals will be influenced by weather cnditins, the animal s age, reprductive and health status. Belw we prvide general suggestins n meeting the nutritinal needs f individual animals: Feeding sick sheep and gats Small, weak, yung and sick sheep and gats shuld be fed separately s they d nt cmpete fr feed r becme stressed while feeding. In general, limit the amunt f stress sick/weak animals experience. If cmpletely separating them frm the flck causes increased stress, try t cnfine them in clse prximity f ther animals r cnfine their friends alng with them. Water: A dehydrated gat r sheep is an almst dead gat r sheep. Adult r kid/lamb, a gat/sheep cannt survive lng withut adequate fluid levels in its bdy. Nearly every illness r injury t a gat/sheep invlves sme level f dehydratin. Thus it is extremely imprtant t make available fresh and clean water t any sick animal. Ideally, ORS will als be given t keep the animals electrlyte balance crrect. Gats: A gat standing ff by itself is either a de getting ready t kid r a sick gat. Gats are herd animals. They hate being alne. When a gat is ill, its bdy diverts bld t rgans essential fr survival, such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Thus, a gat that can't hld its head up als cannt digest slid fd in its stmach. Sheep: Like gats, r many sick animals, a sick sheep is likely t be standing ff t the side away frm ther animals. Other characteristics f a sick animal include: An animal nt able t keep up with the flck when yu are mving An animal nt eating when the rest are, sick animals will g ff feed Standing with head dwn and ears drped even as yu apprach Breathing sunds ut f rdinary, rasping r shallw Sick animals shuld be given extra amunts and higher quality frages t give them the extra energy and nutrients t recver. Sheep and Gats: Feed green leaves, when available, are the best fd surce that the sheep and gat can be ffered. Green leaves n freshly cut branches are the sheep s and gat's natural fd and are mre easily digested than anything else is. D nt prvide prcessed grains such as sacked feed r cracked/shelled maize; the sick gat will nt be able t digest them prperly and recvery will be delayed. Feeding mature sheep and gats Feeding f mature nn-lactating r breeding animals shuld fllw the basic guidelines prvided abve in Feeding Best Practices sectin. If the flck des nt appear t be thriving/grwing n ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 29

36 the current feeding rutine, lk at the quality and quantity f the feedstuffs being ffered. It is recmmended t find alternative feed surces in this situatin. Feed requirements will change depending n the seasn. The farmer needs t be aware f the current weather cnditins and adjust the feeding and watering practices accrdingly. The mst imprtant practices fr feeding mature animals is: Prvide clean water thrughut the day and night Fresh and clean frage is best Diverse feedstuffs ensure a mre nutritius diet. Feeding rams and bucks As with any healthy mature animal, the amunt and quality f feed shuld sufficiently meet the animal s daily requirements. Fr breeding males, it is best if they maintain a steady weight but d nt becme t fat/heavy. Belw are the recmmended best practices fr feeding breeding rams and bucks: Give mre feed tw mnths befre the ram r buck has t serve the des this will imprve the bucks sperm and make it mre active. When a ram r buck is being used a lt t serve ewe r des respectively, it shuld be separated frm ther sheep r gats fr abut 2-3 hurs per day. This will allw it time t eat and rest. Because f their increased activity, breeding males shuld be ffered increased amunts f clean water thrughut the day/night. Breeding males shuld be able t lick a mineral lick r have access t lse minerals at any time. This will help keep balanced electrlyte levels. Feeding breeding and lactating ewes and des Belw are feeding best practices specifically fr breeding ewes and des. One mnth befre mating the ewe and de shuld be fed and watered very well s as she is in the best f health If she is very well she is mre likely t have twins r even triplets Cncentrates shuld be fed t ewes and des just befre the ewes and des are served by the ram and buck respectively Increase feed gradually fr 2 mnths up until the ewe and de gives birth Cntinue feeding cncentrate while she is giving milk Mineral licks hasten cming n heat Always have fresh water fr sheep and gats t drink at any time. Feeding during pregnancy The nutritinal needs f pregnant females changes thrughut the pregnancy. Belw are sme general guidelines f feeding best practices ver length f the pregnancy First 3 mnths f pregnancy Newly pregnant females can be fed as nrmal (Feeding Best Practices discussed abve) Shearing, vaccinating, wrking ewes, prnunced changes in feeding practices shuld be avided during the first 30 days f gestatin. Ewes need nly slightly abve maintenance levels f nutritin fr the first 15 weeks f pregnancy. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 30

37 Figure 15: Yung sweet ptat plants. The vines (shwn) are a favred fd f gats. The last tw mnths f pregnancy Late gestatin (last 4 t 6 weeks) is a critical perid fr de/ewe reprductin. This is when the majrity f fetal grwth is ccurring, placing increasing nutritinal demands n the de/ewe. Dams/Ewes cnsuming inadequate diets are prne t pregnancy txemia and milk fever. Nutritin in late-pregnancy affects the size and vigr f kids/lambs and the milk prducing ability f the de/ewe. During first 2 mnths after lamb r Kids birth and giving milk The sheep and gat must be well fed fr milk prductin and maintenance f bdy weight. Mthers can be supplemented with at least 200 gm/day f dairy meal. Make this additin gradually s as nt t disrupt her gastr-intestinal system. Feeding lambs and kids It is recmmended t reduce added dairy meal t 100gm/day after the 3rd mnth Feeding the newbrn up till 3 mnths Newbrn lambs and kids shuld suck clstrum within 24 hurs. In the first hurs after being brn, it is best t leave the newbrn with the mther, but with sme supervisin, t make sure the newbrn is able t nurse and receives clstrum. At ne week, lambs and kids shuld be prvided with small quantities f gd clean feed e. g. sweet ptat vines, tree legumes leaves r natural tree leaves Lambs and kids shuld cntinue with milk fr the first three weeks Lambs and kids shuld be allwed milk with fresh mixed fdder up t 3-4 mnths Feeding yung stck Shuld be fed n fresh, highly nutritius mixed fdder Give lts f water at all times Mineral blcks must be given at this stage WHAT KIND OF FEED SHOULD THE SHEEP AND GOAT BE GIVEN The dairy sheep and gat gives as much milk as it is given the right fd!! There are many feeds the sheep and gat likes. Here are sme gd feeds that can be used: Sweet ptat vines Sweet ptates are gd crp t plant because it gives tubers fr the family t eat and the leaves can be fed t the sheep and gats Favrite fd f gats Can be planted beside river beds, steep hillsides and steep areas alng radside edges ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 31

38 Napier Useful in feeding rphaned lambs and kids. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) is an imprtant carbhydrate-rich fdder grass, als knwn as "elephant grass" Napier grass is prpagated easily. It has deep rts, s is fairly drught-resistant. The tender, yung leaves and stems are very palatable fr livestck. Napier grass grws very fast but it can becme invasive with its extensive rhizmial rt netwrk Plant Napier alng river beds, alng sil terraces, fence/rw lines, rad reserves etc. Gd Napier needs manure and tp dressing with a fertilizer and needs weeding Cut Napier ften s it is easy fr the gats t eat and digest Where new fields are being planted mixed crpping with desmdium imprves the quality f the fdder. Vine-like r creeping leguminus species (Centrcema pubescens, Figure 16: Napier grass being grwn with Desmdium intrtum, Vicia sativa) leguminus plants (mucuna) fr better animal can be intercrpped with Napier. nutritin. When harvesting, leave the plants tgether, chp and feed fr a mixed frage meal. If yu plant Napier arund yur maize it stps Maize stalk brer! Where a farmer has a big shamba then plant as ne crp near the hme t save time and wrk when taking t the gats Fdder trees and legumes Grwing and feeding leguminus plants t livestck can be ne f the mst beneficial activities a smallhlder farmer des. Brwse species have cnsiderable ptential in mixed crp livestck prductin systems, t supplement lw quality feeds, fix atmspheric nitrgen, prvide fuel and shelter and t help in sil and water cnservatin. Recmmended leguminus and fdder trees and crps include: Leuceana Calliandra (des better in high altitudes (tea znes) than Leuceana) Sesbania Desmdium ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 32

39 Sweet ptat (vines) General feeding and grwing recmmendatins include: Maize Preferred leguminus species have high prtein cntent. Thus, they must be mixed with ther frages and nt be the nly frage crp being fed. The trees and legumes, can be planted alng the fences and terraces Leuceana is gd in fences D nt frget that many weeds als make gd fdder While maize is grwn fr farmer s fd, harvest stalks and stems (stvers) are a gd surce f animal fdder. Thinning - extra maize seedlings that grw frm the same seed hle shuld be thinned and dried a little befre feeding t the gats (Figure 17) Remve extra leaves - this shuld start with the leaves belw the cbs as sn as the cb can be seen Cutting the tps - this shuld be dne after the grains have hardened (Figure 17) Stvers - these shuld have sweeteners (mlasses) added t increase palatability r sprinkle cmmn salt after chpping. (Figure 17) Brken grains - these are very nutritius especially after a heavy harvest but shuld be fed carefully t avid grain verlad. HAY MAKING Haymaking is a gd way t preserve grasses fr dry seasn feeding. Figure 17: Thinning yung maize plants (tp) fr strnger/healthier plants. Cutting the tp f maize plants (bttm left) t push energy int stem and ear. Applying cmmn salt (bttm right) t stver fr preservatin. Hay can be grasses, legumes r mixture f the tw. Plants suitable fr haymaking are thse f erect type, leafy and nt stemy. T prduce gd quality hay, yu must cut the plants at the right time. Fr legumes cut when abut 50 % starts blming and fr grasses abut 50 % heading Try nt t cut grasses/plants fr hay making until after the rains have stpped. Lng dry days and nights are the key t haymaking. Dry the cuts evenly and quickly fr abut three days depending n sun intensity. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 33

40 Quality hay is greenish, 25% water cntent, nt mldy and acceptable by animals. T avid spilage feed in trugh, keep clean, remve and destry any spiled hay, mix with green legumes and save fr dry seasn. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 34

41 CHAPTER SIX: SHEEP AND GOAT FLOCK HEALTH SICK SHEEP AND GOAT: HOW TO IDENTIFY? Table 2 belw prvides a quick summary f the cmmn characteristics f sick and healthy sheep and gats. Table 2: Characteristics f healthy vs. sick sheep and gats Healthy A healthy sheep/gat: has a gd appetite. appears bright, alert and respnsive when playing and climbing. stays with the flck. has smth, clean and shiny cat. has clear eyes with sme pink clr in the eyelids. has an erect tail and a mist nse Healthy lambs/kids: are active and alert, and breath nrmally They are up n their feet in minutes After birth, mve freely and feed ften Sick A sick/unhealthy sheep r gat: has reduced appetite has breathing that is t fast r t slw sits r lies separated frm the flck/herd has an ill-appearance with a dull, matted cat, hunched-up stance and tail and ears that drp dwn has a dry nse r has discharge frm the nse, eyes, and/r muth Unhealthy lambs/kids are: ften unwilling t mve r feed. appear weak, cld, lazy and hunched up GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND DISEASE PREVENTION All gd management practices, r management best practices, assist in the reductin f diseases in the flck. Implementatin f these actins help prtect animals frm disease n a day-t-day basis. Because the animal is in verall gd health, they help animals fight ff r survive ther health challenges (drught, disease utbreaks) ver the lng-term. Health prtecting gd management practices include: Husing and feeding Husing that prvides prtectin frm wind and rain, is easily cleaned and is well ventilated. This is preferred ver ht/warm, wet and airless cnditins Feed racks prevent cntaminatin f feed with feces and urine Drenching and spraying When sheep and gats are kept in intensive cnditins, parasites in the herd and sils will buildup as animals cntinually re-infect themselves. Ideally, animals will nt be kept in such cnditins. Hwever, if it unavidable, it is crucial the farmer have a strict rutine f manure remval and/r rtatin f grazing areas r paddcks fr disease cntrl. In additin, the farmer shuld cnsider: Regular treatment with effective anti-parasitic drugs t reduce intestinal parasite burdens. The same apprach is required with external parasites such as ticks, lice and flies: Spraying r dipping f animals will reduce external parasites during perids f high infestatin and break the reprductive cycle f the parasites in the sils, vegetatin, herd. Hf trimming In management systems where sheep and gats are mstly cnfined and d nt walk daily n hard grundcver r climb rcks, abrasin f the hf is nt balanced with hf grwth. This will affect mbility and culd lead t reduced intake frm grazing. It may additinally lead t diseases such as ft rt. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 35

42 T avid these prblems, hves need t be examined regularly and trimmed as needed (Figure 18). D nt let hves grw lnger than shwn belw, cut and trim carefully. Disease preventin prgram Disease preventin prgrams can be develped by the animal health staff and the Kebele Develpment Agent (KDA). By wrking with the KDA the farmer is guaranteed t include lcal infrmatin n disease ccurrence and epidemilgical infrmatin int his/her prgram In additin t fllwing the recmmendatins (management and husbandry practices) prvided in this training manual, vaccinatins are als necessary and highly recmmended. A herdvaccinatin prgram will include the fllwing elements Rutine vaccinatin using lcally apprpriate vaccines: Pasteurellsis Sheep and gat px Anthrax Pest des petits ruminants (PPR) Ring vaccinatin as recmmended by lcal health authrities. These are carried ut during utbreaks f Cntagius Caprine Pleurpneumnia (CCPP). Gats fund arund the utbreak areas are included in the mass-vaccinatin prgram. This serves as a barrier t halt the spread f infectin. Imprtance f vaccinatin prgrams Figure 18: Achieving the crrect angle f the hf Prperly cnducted and managed vaccinatin prgrams are critical t enhancing the immune status f the herd Prper timing f vaccinatins and bster immunizatins will assist in cmbating disease and minimize the severity f any disease utbreak Figure 19: Lcally available vaccines fr bacterial and viral sheep and gat disease including administratin schedule. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 36

43 VIRAL AND BACTERIAL DISEASES OF SHEEP AND GOATS Peste des Petites Ruminants (PPR) Affects sheep and gat and als causes limited cases in camels ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 37

44 Cntagius Caprine Pleur-pneumnia (CCPP) A disease f gats nly. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 38

45 Sheep and gat px A disease f sheep and gat ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 39

46 Pneumnic Pasteurellsis (Ovine and Caprine Pasteurellsis) Disease that affects bth sheep and gats. This disease ccurs fllwing stress related triggers such as transprt, feed shrtage, climatic change and ther management factrs ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 40

47 Anthrax This disease affects all animals, including humans, except birds. Because f its high-risk t peple, it is a cncern t natinal and internatinal public health fficials. ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 41

48 PARASITIC DISEASES OF SHEEP AND GOATS Internal Parasitic Infestatins in sheep and gats Stages Case Definitins Stage 1: Clinical case definitin Sheep and gats get wrms frm fdder at which hld many wrm eggs r larvae Sheep and gats can suffer very sever disease Adult sheep and gats suffer as yung nes Usually can be surce f stress in sheep and gats Internal parasites ptentially cause: an animal is thin, prbably being well-fed; an animal is nt grwing well; an animal eats less than nrmal; an animal is weak, tires easily and lags behind the flck; an animal has rugh cats; yu bserve a number f animals with diarrhea and dehydratin; and yu bserve swellings r edema (e.g., bttle jaw) r see animals with pale mucus membranes Stage 2: Pst mrtem case definitin Usually yu see the parasites in the internal bdy part and lesins n the predilectin site f the internal parasite Stage 3: Preventin methds Avid cntaminated feeds Dewrm befre the rains and immediately after Gd husing that prevents cntaminatin f feeds with feces ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 42

49 External parasitic infestatin in sheep and gats Stages Stage 1: Clinical case definitin Ticks Case Definitins Effects f External Parasites: External parasites are respnsible fr a great diversity f animal health prblems: Attachment t the hst causes irritatin f the skin with subsequent ulceratin and secndary infectins The wunds attract screw wrms and ther flies, and myiasis can develp Heavy infestatins are assciated with anemia, since adult female ticks can suck up t 10 ml f bld The presence f large numbers causes annyance and animals becme restless. This may cause lss f weight and cnditin Bites can damage sensitive areas f skin (teats, vagina, eyes, etc.) Tick attachment between the claws f the feet may cause severe lameness External parasites transmit additinal diseases t their hsts. Sme f these are serius with fatal cnsequences. Causes tick-paralysis ENGINE Livestck Prducers Sheep and Gat Prductin Handbk (February 2013) Page 43