animal production - CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University ...

vi) Care of breeding males: Feed them like that of young breeding males but with more quantities of roughages and
concentrate mixture as they have grown in size with more weight. Provide moderate to heavy exercise depending upon the
conditions of animal. Half an hour running will keep them fit for breeding. Feed the male ad lib., two months before the
breeding season as their feed intake is reduced during breeding season. In case of bucks, hairs around urethra should be
trimmed at least once in a breeding season.
vii) Care of breeding females: After calculating the approximate date of parturition from the last date of service on
the basis of average pregnancy period of 150 days, the animal should be separated from rest of the flock at least 20 days
before the expected time. The animal should be housed in clean and well bedded pen. As the animal approaches near
parturition, it is evident from diminished or lost appetite, distended and shiny udder, loosening of genitals, depression near
the root of the tail, pawing and chewing the bedding and bleating. Close watch and the presence of an experienced person
is necessary. The process of parturition is normal kidding. But if it takes unnecessary long time, help of the veterinarian
may be obtained. The animal should be given luke warm water to drink followed by warm wheat meal. The soiled bedding,
expelled afterbirth etc. should be removed from the pen.
viii) Care of milking dairy goats: The udder of the goats should be washed with luke warm water containing few
crystals of potassium permaganate. The animal should be milked with full hand method.
Housing: The goat should be managed under intensive management (completely stallfed) system or semi-intensive
management (partly grazing and browsing and supplementary concentrate mixture feeding in the pens) system, depending
upon the area and availability of the pasture facilities.
Provide cheap and clean house with thatched roof made of locally available material and thorny fences. Space
requirement for an animal as recommended by ISI may be adopted for construction of the house (Fig.2).
Kind of animal Floor space required(sq.m)
Adult female 1.0
Adult male 3.3
Young stock 0.4
Fence height should be 1.5 to 2.0 metre. The thickness should be 20 to 30 cm (if made up of thorns), or dog-proof
barbed wire fencing up to the same height as given above would be sufficient.
Selection of ram:
SHEEP PRODUCTION
A breeding ram should be healthy, sound, musculine in appearance. It should possess all the desirable characters
of the breed. It should have strong legs and sound feet, wide brisket and fleshy. The joints should be broad and
quarters thick and full.
Selection of ewe
A breeding ewe should have roomy hind quarters and well formed udder. It should have strong motherly instinct
and should have plenty of milk so that the lambs grow fast. For mutton quality, lambs born early in the season should be
selected as they grow bigger than those born later. They should have more muscle than bones. Those lambs that attain
good weight at the age of 4 to 5 months yield more profits. The quality of mutton from lambs at weaning is of best quality.
Reproduction
Estrous cycle in ewes varies from 17-19 days with an average of 18 days. Estrus remains for 21-39 hr. though it
may vary from 1-3 days. Unlike other farm animals, ewes in general do not come in heat at regular intervals throughout the
year. There are three main breeding seasons (1) March-April or summer season (2) June-July (sometimes June to August)
or autumn season and (3) October - November or winter season. Nearly 15-20% ewes come in heat in summer, 60-80% at
the beginning of autumn and a very small number in winter. The gestation period varies from 142-152 days with an average
of 146 days.
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