Abstract:
A survey to assess the production pattern of peri-urban
small ruminants` production in Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria
was conducted by means of structured questionnaires. A total of 120 respondents
were randomly selected for the study. Statistical analyses were accomplished
by means of descriptive statistics. Findings of the study indicated that
a high proportion of the respondents involved in small ruminants production
were in their middle age, mostly illiterate but are highly experienced
in small ruminant production. Most of the respondents (92%) kept the indigenous
breed of small ruminants. Management system was mostly extensive. Analysis
revealed that in small ruminant flocks, females constituted more than
70% of the flock. Litter sizes for sheep and goats were 1.23 and 1.47,
parturition intervals were 246 and 234 days, respectively. The average
age at first oestrus was 248 days in sheep and 224 days in goats. Mortality,
management system, oestrus detection, timeliness of mating contributed
to low reproductive performance. Small ruminants production would be enhanced
if adequate attention is paid to the removal of identified constraints
to production.
M.K. Ajala, O.S. Lamidi and S.M. Otaru, 2008. Peri-Urban Small Ruminant Production in Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 138-146.
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