🐐 Sheep and Goat Rearing Systems

This lesson covers core livestock production and management concepts for practical farm application and exam-oriented preparation.

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Systems of rearing

Class 18. Systems of rearing-Housing management- Type design- Floor diagram-Space

requirement for adult and young stock.

System of Production :

Nomadic:

Permanent 1. Subsistence

commercial

1. Teathering 2.Extensive 3. Semi intensive 4 Intensive

Teathering :

 Sedentary system

 Suitable to areas of intensive agriculture

 Controlled system of management

 Minimum labour input

 Utilization of feed stuffs in site

Extensive system:

Allowed for grazing on agriculture land after harvesting and on natural bushes, shrubs and

natural pasture land.

Disadvantages : Low carrying capacity

 Deficit of nutrients excepts during monsoon.

 Only poor quality (High fibre) plants are available.

 Less weight gain : 20-40gm/day

 No possibility of separating on age basis.

 No scientific management is possible

 Improvement by.

1. Indiscriminate breeding – avoided

2. Castration of scrub bucks and rams.

3. Timely vaccination and deworming.

4. Bran supplementation.

Semi intensive system : On return from grazing – being supplemented with concentrates –

Western countries – provision – of pen with paddocks. – Growth rate – 40-50 gm/day. High

margin of profit.

Intensive system : Confined / provision of pen and run / grazing on cultivated fodder and

concentrate supplementation in stalls.

Advantages :

 Don’t destroy plants – preventing soil session.

 Carrying capacity is high.

 FCR is high

 Good quality manure is obtained.

 Labour efficiency is high.

 Scientific management is possible.

Disadvantages :

 Parasitic problem - external.

 Free roaming- restriction land to reduced feed in take and weight gain.

 So should be confined from young age onwards.

 High quality litter management NH3 production – respiratory problem.

 Heat identification – problematic.

Housing

1.Not expensive

2. Adequate space

3. Proper ventilation

4. Good drainage

5. Plenty of light

6. Protection from predators and adverse climate

7. Dry floor.

Space allowance

Adult : Male : 20- 25 sq.ft.

Female : 15-20 sq.ft.

Young : 10 sq.ft.

Intensive system :

Deep litter system

Slatted floor

Concrete floor

Breedable male shed :2.5 m x 2.0 m

Individual one to avoid fighting

Parturition shed : Individual basis preferably with paddocks.

Segregation / Isolation shed / sick animal shed :10’ x 5’

One corner of farm

Leeward side

General flock shed 50- 60 does

Kid shed : 20-30 nos.

Hay racks : Box made up to wooden reaper fixed at the interval of 5 cm. Elevated benches.

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Summary Cheat Sheet

Topic	Key Point
Main theme	Systems of rearing and housing management of small ruminants
Housing purpose	Protection from rain, sun, predators, and disease
Space allowance	Important design criterion in housing planning
Management factor	Floor type, ventilation, and drainage affect health and productivity
Rearing system choice	Depends on flock size, climate, land, and management level
Housing benefit	Good housing lowers stress and makes feeding and treatment easier
Common concern	Overcrowding leads to poor sanitation and disease spread
Design logic	Type and floor plan should suit species and local condition
Farm efficiency	Proper housing reduces labour and mortality losses
Exam trap	Housing management is part of rearing system, not a separate unrelated topic