Goat and Sheep Farming I – SS1 Livestock Farming Lesson Note (Second Term)

Goats and sheep are small ruminants: hardy farm animals with a four-chambered stomach that can survive tough conditions where cattle might struggle.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. name common Nigerian breeds of goats and sheep and describe each one;
2. list the features of a good house for goats and sheep;
3. describe grazing, zero-grazing, concentrates and salt licks as feeding practices;
4. state the differences between goats and sheep;
5. give reasons for starting a goat or sheep farm.

What are small ruminants?

Small ruminants are small farm animals that chew the cud and have a stomach with four chambers, mainly goats and sheep.

• Ruminant: an animal that swallows food, brings it back to the mouth as cud and chews it again.
• Hardy: able to live and grow well in hot, dry or poor conditions.
• Small stock: another name for goats and sheep, because they are small and cheap to start with.
• Where found: in almost every Nigerian village and town, often roaming freely.

What are the four chambers of the ruminant stomach?

1. Rumen: the largest chamber, where bacteria begin to break down grass.
2. Reticulum: the chamber that helps form the cud.
3. Omasum: the chamber that absorbs water from the food.
4. Abomasum: the true stomach, where digestive juices act on the food.

What are the names used for goats and sheep?

Goats and sheep have different names for males, females, young ones and meat.

What are the common breeds of goats and sheep in Nigeria?

The common Nigerian goat breeds are West African Dwarf, Red Sokoto and Sahel, and the common sheep breeds are West African Dwarf, Yankasa, Balami and Uda.

These local breeds suit our heat and local pests.

What are the popular goat breeds?

• West African Dwarf (WAD) goat: short, “stubby” goat common in the South, very tough and able to survive humid, forest conditions.
• Red Sokoto (Maradi): famous for its deep red skin and found mostly in the North.
• Sahel goat: tall, long-legged goat from the very dry parts of the North, a great walker that travels far to find grass.

The Red Sokoto skin is very valuable. It is used to make high-quality “Morocco leather” for shoes and bags.

What are the popular sheep breeds?

• West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep: short sheep, mostly found in the South, like the WAD goat.
• Yankasa: the most common sheep in Nigeria, usually white with black patches around the eyes and nose.
• Balami: large, all-white sheep, often kept for festivals such as Sallah because it grows big and looks beautiful.
• Uda: “half-and-half” sheep, usually black or brown on the front half and white on the back half.

How can the breeds be told apart quickly?

What makes a good house for goats and sheep?

A good house for goats and sheep is dry, airy, secure and has food and water always within reach.

Many people let their animals roam, but a serious farmer provides a house. Good housing helps growth and protects against thieves.

What are the key features of a good small ruminant house?

1. Raised floors: goats especially hate wet, muddy ground, so farmers build slatted floors of wood or bamboo, raised about 2 to 3 feet off the ground.
2. Slatted floor gaps: urine and droppings fall through, so the animal stays dry.
3. Cross-ventilation: open sides covered with wire mesh let fresh air flow through and reduce breathing diseases.
4. Roof: protects the animals from rain and strong sun.
5. “Ad-libitum” corner: a fixed spot for a salt lick (mineral block) and clean water, always available. Ad libitum means “as much as wanted”.
6. Security: a strong fence keeps out stray dogs and thieves.

How are goats and sheep fed?

Goats and sheep are fed by grazing or zero-grazing, with concentrates, salt licks and clean water added.

What are the feeding methods?

• Grazing (the natural way): animals go out and eat grass, herbs and shrubs.
• Zero-grazing (cut and carry): the farmer cuts grass or tree branches, such as Gliricidia or Leucaena, and brings them to the pen.

Zero-grazing is safer because the animals are less likely to pick up worms from the field.

What are the feed types?

• Roughage: grass, hay and leaves, which supply fibre.
• Concentrates: “add-ons” such as palm kernel cake, maize offals or groundnut cake, given for faster growth.
• Salt licks: mineral blocks that supply minerals and encourage the animals to drink water.
• Clean water: must be available at all times.

What are the management differences between goats and sheep?

Goats are browsers that are curious and stubborn, while sheep are grazers that are timid and stay in a flock.

• Goat: eats leaves, bark and twigs from bushes and trees.
• Sheep: eats grass close to the ground.

Why start a goat or sheep farm?

A goat or sheep farm is a good start for a small farmer because the animals are cheap, multiply quickly and sell easily.

• Low start-up cost: you do not need a lot of money to begin.
• Small starting herd: you can start with two females and one male.
• Fast multiplication: the females often have twins.
• Ready market: there is always demand for mutton (sheep) and chevon (goat) in Nigeria.
• Skins: goat skin, especially Red Sokoto, is sold for leather.
• Festival sales: large sheep such as the Balami sell well at festivals like Sallah.
• Manure: droppings can be used to fertilise crops.

Evaluation

1. Identification: If you see a sheep that is half black in front and half white at the back, what breed is it?
2. Logic: Why is a raised floor better than a cement floor for a goat house in a rainy area?
3. Definition: What is a ruminant? Name the four chambers of its stomach.
4. Comparison: State two differences between goats and sheep.
5. Recall: Give two reasons for starting a goat or sheep farm.

Assignment

Compare the Red Sokoto goat and the West African Dwarf goat in a short table. Use region, size and use of the skin. Then visit your local market and ask the sellers which one costs more and why. (Ask about the skin!)