Publications

Titles

English :

Sheep and goat production characterization under mixed farmling system in the desert coast of north west - Egypt

Arabic :

توصيف نظم انتاج الاغنام و الماعز تحت النظام المزرعى المختلط في الساحل الشمالى الغربى لصحراء مصر

Abstract

Small ruminants are an integral part of mixed-farming systems in Egypt. Assessment of the existing small ruminant production systems is an important tool to inform researchers about producer problems and the opportunities available to improve on the prevailing systems. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on milking animals, milk production, some reproductive parameters. most common diseases. animals marketing and cropping pattern. A survey was conducted from December 2008 to April 2009 in the Northwest of Egypt. Four districts were randomly selected out of seven (Matruh. El-Nigila, Sidi-Barani and El-Dabaa). In total, 99 Producer who practice mixed farming system were randomly selected and divided into four groups according to flock/herd size holdings of sheep and goat; < 100>100 – 200, >200 - <300 and >300 heads. Average daily milk production was 0.39. 0.42, 0.35 and 0.34 litter/ewes/day and 0.43, 0.48, 0.43 and 0.48 litter/does/day for the four sizes respectively. Average lactation length for ewes was 83.4, 87.0, 81.9 and 81.1 days and for does were 108.9. 108.9, 111.9 and 83.7 days, respectively. Average parturition interval was 10.18, 10.04, 9.67 and 10.54 months for ewes and 9.67. 10.20, 10.06 and 10.08 months for does, respectively. Average age at first lambing/kidding was 17.8, 16.9, 17.3 and 16.6 months for ewes and 16.6, 16.7, 16.7 and 16.7 months for does in the four groups. Average cultivated areas owned by the producer in the four flock sizes were 85.8, 100.0, 120.0 and 164.1 feddan, respectively. Average age of selling animals was 23 and 21 months at an average body weight of 35 and 23 kg for sheep and goat, respectively. The most common diseases were pulmonary pneumonia, internal and external parasites. fasciolasis, trace elements deficiency and pseudo tuberculosis. It can be concluded that the farming systems of the studied region are managed under a traditional system which is characterized by deficient facilities and generally high variability in managing practices and productivity. This study has produced a general understanding of the small ruminant systems and identified major challenges. Keywords: Flock size, milk, market, diseases, mixed-farming systems, small ruminants

Publication year

2011

Pages

181-195

Availability location

معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى-شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى- الجيزة

Availability number

Organization Name

Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)

serial title

Egyptian Journal Animal Production

ISSN