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Determination Of Weight Changes In Sheep And Goats Fed Supplemental Yam Peels And Raised Semi-intensively In Teaching And Research Farm
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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.
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]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 ... Continue reading---
