Sheep Health, Wellbeing, and Welfare Management

Abstract

Traditionally, sheep are kept in the rural communities for the purpose of milk, wool and meat. Different types of husbandry system exist, intensive, semi-intensive and extensive system of management. Irrespective of the reason for keeping the animal, good management practices should ensure that the welfare of the animal do not suffer. For a profitable performance use of modern available techniques in production is necessary. Estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, early pregnancy detection, embryo transfer and supplemental lamb feeding have all been employed to optimize performance. The welfare of an animal is important. Practices as hoof trimming, shearing, tail docking have been found to improve welfare in sheep production. Diseases of sheep can be categorized into parasitic, bacterial, fungal, rickettsial and viral diseases. Ectoparasites and endoparasites in sheep farming affect the quality of wool and general performance of the animal by causing irritation and poor growth rate due to host dependability. Bacterial diseases in farmed sheep posed a risk of suppurative diseases that affect organs such as the lungs, joints, thyroid gland, lymph nodes and foot which is a consequence of damaging the organs and a risk of systemic diseases which can lead to death of the animal. Good biosecurity measures should be set in place and proper use of vaccines is to be ensued as these tend to keep disease causing agents away from the flock. Sheep farming is a good source of employment hence the need to employ modern techniques to replace traditional practices for optimum performance.