Evaluation of three strategic prophylactic programmes against helminthiasis of traditionally managed West African Dwarf sheep and goats in Nigeria

A total of eighty (80) animals comprising of forty (40) each of West African Dwarf sheep and goats, averagely weighting 25.33 ± 2.50kg and 15.13 ± 1.0kg, respectively were used in an experiment at the Small Ruminant Unit of the Teaching and Research Farms of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Olugbo village via Odeda in Odeda Local Government area of Ogun State. The forty animals from each species were divided into two groups of twenty (20) animals each and were randomly selected and managed under extensive system (ES)and semi intensive system (SIS0. 10ml) of blood sample from individual animal was drawn from each animal and analyzed for their mineral concentration of Ca, P, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn. The main effect of the system of management significantly influenced the concentration of both major and trace minerals of sheep and goats except P and Cu. Sheep and goats under ES had higher (P < 0.05) concentration of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Mn. The concentrations of K and Na were higher (P < 0.05) in sheep and goats under SIS. No significant (P > 0.05) interaction effect on Ca and P concentration was 0bserved, although goats raised under both systems exhibited higher Ca and P concentrations than sheep. However, significant interactions (P < 0.05) of animal special and management systems was observed in the plasma concentrations of Mg, K, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn with no noticeable trend being following. It was concluded that irrespective of the animal species (Sheep or goats) and management systems, Ca and P supplementation is necessary to ensure optimum productivity of the animals

Download Full-text

REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP AND GOATS AT VILLAGE LEVEL IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Nigerian Journal of Animal Production ◽

10.51791/njap.v25i1.2246 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 79-82

Author(s):

S. S. ABIOLA ◽

C. F. I. ONWUKA

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

West African ◽

Multiple Birth ◽

Sheep And Goats ◽

West African Dwarf ◽

Village Level ◽

Ogun State ◽

West African Dwarf Sheep ◽

Dwarf Sheep

Reproductive performance of 20 pregnant ewes and 20 pregnant does of West African Dwarf breeds at village level in Ogun State, Nigeria were compare in a study which lasted for 8 months. Litter size in ewes was 1.50 while that of does was 1.85. the number of males produced by the two species out-numbered that of females. However, multiple birth were higher in goat that in sheep. Results of birth weights and body weight of lambs and kids at 3 month of age were significantly different (P < 0.05). Lambs were heavier at birth with overall mean birth weight of 2.00kg compared with 1.48kg recorded for kids. At the age of 3 monthes the overall body weight of lamb was 10.38kg while that of kid was 7.61kg. mortality in lamb was 23.33% as against 10.81% in kids. Effective management system of West African Dwarf sheep and goats at village level before and after birth will improve the reproductive efficiency of the species

Download Full-text