Impact of Farm-Scale on Animal Management Practices in Pırlak Sheep Enterprises

Abstract

This research aims to determine the effect of the farm-scale on the management practices applied in Pırlak sheep farms in the Emirdağ District of Afyonkarahisar province. The study was carried out in 56 Pırlak sheep farms, determined by a simple random cluster sampling method. Pırlak farms were assigned to small (101 heads) farms scale groups, taking into account the total number of sheep and rams. Management practices related to farm inputs, storage, animal feeding and grazing, milking, shearing, breeding, lamb care, marketing, animal health, and welfare were determined by creating measurements and observations in the farms and interviewing the farmers face to face. In general, animal feeding management in Pırlak farms, where traditional sheep farming was carried out, was mainly based on the common village pasture, and various amounts of concentrated feed were supplemented without determining the animals' real needs. The barns were soil, and air quality and dry litter were poor in this sheep with standard construction features. There were no rams, lambs, or maternity pens in the barns, and very few farms had maternity pens. It has been determined that performance records, animal diseases, and treatments were not kept, and the frequency of cleaning sheep equipment and manure removal was insufficient. Grazing, milking, lamb care, breeding, and shearing methods were accomplished mainly with traditional methods and manual. it has been understood that there are essential structural and managerial deficiencies in animal care and management in Pırlak farms, and the effect of farm scale is generally insignificant. In addition, it has been determined that Pırlak sheep farmers need to be trained in animal health, welfare, and business economics in order to support these family-type farms.