DETERMINATION
OF WEIGHT CHANGES IN SHEEP AND GOATS FED SUPPLEMENTAL YAM PEELS AND RAISED
SEMI-INTENSIVELY IN TEACHING AND
RESEARCH FARM
Department: Animal
Production
ABSTRACT
Ten (10) goats were used in 10 weeks
field experiment to determine the weight changes in goats and sheep under a
semi-intensive system of management. The goats and sheep were grouped into two
treatments; five groups each for both goats and sheep respectively and each
treatment were replicated five times in a complete randomized design. The goats
were allowed to graze for about 4-6 hours daily, while they were fed with 9000g
of yam peels as supplement and water was supplied ad-libitum. The weight of the
animals were taking weekly for a period of ten weeks . The result shows no
significant difference (p>0.05) in the body weight of goats throughout the
experimental period. However, shows significant (p<0.05) in sheep at 3rd,
4th and 8th week of the experiments. It is recommended
that animals be given supplementary feedings during the dry season periods of
the year within the study area.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0
INTRODUCTION
The
size and age of sheep and goats are normally related to their productivity
(Solomon and Kassahun, 2009). Larger sized animals usually produce more meat
than smaller animals. Size is commonly represented by weight, though other
linear measurements can be used. The size of an animal should be considered in
relation to its age allowing for evaluation of growth performance used as a component
in deciding which animals to buy, sell, cull or mate. Body weight is measured
not only to evaluate carcass yield (Afolayan et al., 2006) and condition of the animal as a selection criterion
but also to determine suitable medication dosage during health care and
required feed amount of the animal (Kunene et
al., 2009). Goat farming has increased in the tropics and is important for
economic and social livelihood of the large human population, contributing
meat, milk and clothing in domestic markets (Kosgey et al., 2006).
The
economic importance of goats and sheep in the livelihood of rural African
people cannot be overemphasized. They play a pivotal role in the rural economy
as sources of meat and milk and their processed products such as cheese, wool
and hair (including monhair) and skins. Economic and environmental benefits are
derived from dung (which improves soil fertility and structure) and from
nutrient recycling, and also income generation (FAO, 2009). Goat production in
Nigeria contributes significantly to the agrarian economy. Various factors are
within the environment which dictates the performance of animals, and these
factors include rainfall, temperature, relative humidity, wind movement, solar
radiation. The effect of these environmental factors can mediate through
reduction or increase in feed intake, weight gain, plane of nutrition,
diseases, reproductive performance and feed efficiency (Imasuen and Otoikhian,
2004).
1.1 Statement of research problem
Semi-intensive system
of management involves a part time grazing of animals (4 to 6 hours) after
which they are supplemented with cut forages or other available feed materials
to make up for the inadequate feed they get from grazing, and the energy
expended during grazing can be replenished during supplementation of feed under
this system of management.
Also, considering the capricious nature of goats, they tend to expend more
energy during grazing which could drastically affect their weight gain and
subsequently their performances.
Increased influx of
livestock population into Niger State due to available water bodies and feed
stuff results in creating problems in the feed resources available (Adama et al, 2008)
1.2 Justification of the study
Given
the limited work done on the effects of different management systems on weight
gain in sheep and goats, this research on the determination of weight changes
in sheep and goats raised semi-intensively is of paramount importance. This is
because it will aid in generating baseline information on weight changes that
will be used to advise livestock farmers within the study areas on good
management practices with optimal impact on weight gain in sheep and goats
which will result in high profit making for the farmer.
During
the dry season of the year, there is high competition on the feedstuff
available (Adama et al, 2008). This
brings about a need for supplementary feeding of the animals. Dry season
periods could bring about decrease in weight gain. This leads to low economic
value of our livestock species. (Adama et
al, 2008).
1.3 Aims and objectives of the study
The
aim of the study is to determine the weight changes in sheep and goats raised
semi-intensively in Teaching and Research Farm of FUT Minna.
The
following are the specific objectives of the study:
i)
To determine weekly
body weight changes in sheep and goats raised semi-intensively.
ii)
To identify whether
current weight gains are adequate to help bring about improved productivity.