Significance of Feeding Practices for Small Ruminants: A Reveiw

Abstract

Current study was carried in order to understand the significance of feeding practices for small ruminants. In this regards a detailed review of already conducted researches was performance, whereby obtained facts were found to be much interesting and valuable. It was indicated that the profitable small ruminants farming depends upon feeding practices because the feed cost about 70% in farming. Small ruminants are often offered grazing on summer and winter fodders for maintenance and production requirements. However, commercial production demands a change in feeding practice with a trend for more efficient utilization of scarce feed resources. It was further stated that goats spent more time on eating than sheep, while ruminating time remain higher in sheep than goats. Drinking time appears different among these species. Goats spent more time on playing and resting than sheep. Moreover, in extensive, semi-intensive and intensive feeding systems, dry matter intake was noticed higher in sheep than goats. Crude protein intake was reported significantly higher in sheep than goats fed intensively. NDF and ADF intake was higher in goats than sheep. Average daily weight gain was higher in sheep than goats on the extensive system followed by the semi-intensive system. Feed efficiency was similar in both species, while the cost of gain per kg was more economical in goats compared sheep. In conclusion both species performed better on extensive feeding system than the other systems. It might be because of natural grazing behavior.