- Grazing the sheep and goat in the entire pasture and leaving them there for the whole season is the extensive system of rearing.
- In this method feed cost is very much reduced.
- It is not conducive to make the best use of the whole grasses. So we can preferably practice the rotational grazing method.
Different systems of Sheep and Goat rearing
- Rotational grazing should be practiced under which the pasture land should be divided by temporary fences into several sections.
- The animals are then moved from one section to another section. By the time the entire pasture is grazed, the first section will have sufficient grass cover to provide second grazing.
- Parasitic infestations can be controlled to a great extent.
- Further, it helps to provide quality fodder for most part of the year.
- Under this system, it is advisable to graze the lambs first on a section and then bring in ewes to finish up the feed left by the lambs.
- Semi-intensive system of sheep / goat production is an intermediate compromise between extensive and intensive system followed in some flocks having limited grazing.
- It involves extensive management but usually with controlled grazing of fenced pasture.
- It consists of provision of stall feeding, shelter at night under shed and 3 to 5 hour daily grazing and browsing on pasture and range.
- In this method, the feed cost is somewhat increased.
This system has the advantage of
- Meeting the nutrient requirement both from grazing and stall feeding.
- Managing medium to large flock of 50 to 350 heads and above.
- Utilizing cultivated forage during lean period.
- Harvesting good crop of kids both for meat and milk.
- Making a profitable gain due to less labour input.
- It is a system in which sheep goats are continuously kept under housing in confinement with limited access in which they are stall fed.
- It implies a system where goats are not left to fend for themselves with only minimum care.
- Intensive operation of medium sized herd of 50 to 250 heads or more oriented towards commercial milk production goes well with this system particularly of dairy goats.
- It merits exploitation of the system of feeding agro-industrial by products as on fodder grass with carrying capacity of 37 to 45 goats per hectare.
- This system of management requires more labour and high cash input.
- However, this has the advantage of close supervision and control over the animals.
- In this method, the dung is collected in one place and used as a good fertilizer.
- Less space is sufficient for more number of animals.
Rearing in mud floor
- In this method, once in a year 1-2 inches of mud surface should be removed.
- Application of lime powder once in a month will reduce the disease occurrence in the shed.
- The shed should be constructed in elevated area to prevent water stagnation.
Deep litter shed
- In this method, the litter materials like ground nut husk, sugarcane tops etc. are spread on the floor for a depth of ½ feet and animals are reared in it.
- The urine and dung mixed with the litter materials are used as fertilizer.
- The litter materials should be removed once in six months.
- In heavy rain seasons, the litter materials should not be over wet to prevent which would cause ammonia gas production.
Elevated floor shed
- Its initial investment is high.
- In the wooden floor sheds, in a distance of 3m from the floor, the animals are reared.
- This requires less labour and more irrigation land for the fodder production.
- The elevated sheds will be clean and urine and dung will be collected in the floor and periodical removing is required once in six months.