Page 95 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Housing for goats and sheep
Housing for goats and sheep is going to be treated together because these animals
have similar housing requirements. Generally, housing goats and sheep in tropical
regions has to be kept to a minimum with exception of the intensive systems of
production. In the arid climates, natural shades can be sufficient. In humid climates,
simple thatched shelters can confine goats and sheep and protect them from
excessive rain. Goats and sheep, however, do not tolerate mud well thus their sheds
and walking yards should only be built on well drained ground. Goats and sheep
can be reared in varied housing systems depending on the management system. The
housing for goats kept for subsistence, extensive and intensive systems is further
described here.
Housing management in subsistence system
In this system, goats are provided with protective shelters only at night while they
are tethered during the day. The shelters in this system are usually made by locally
available materials just to protect animals against predation and rain. Tethering
during the day involves restricting the animals’ movement to a small area of forage,
that is, within the circumference allowed by length of the tether. Tether can be a
rope or chain used to tie an animal to a post or other fixed place so that it can move
and graze freely within a small area. This housing system is, however, limited to
subsistence and not suitable for commercial purpose.

Housing management in extensive system
In an extensive system of housing goats and sheep, simple sheds are used to confine
animals during night time. Sheds used in this system are normally made up of
locally available materials. The sheds include traditional kraals and simple houses
with solid or half-open or full open walls with water-proof roof. During the day,
goats and sheep flocks graze over large areas of marginal range, usually unsuitable
for farming. In most cases, animals get feed and water from the grazing land, hence
sheds are rarely equipped with feed or water troughs. This housing system is more
preferred to meat goats than other types of goats and sheep.
Intensive housing system for goat and sheep
In intensive system of housing goats and sheep, there are shelters and yards in which
the animals are confined throughout day and night. Feed and water are brought to
the flock therefore, sheds are equipped with proper feed and water troughs, crush,
together with other facilities depending on the purpose of goats/sheep, that is,
whether for milk, meat, dual purpose or hairs. A house or shed with either solid
floor (provided with litter material) or slatted floor is used in this system. The
minimum floor space requirement for goat/sheep house with different types of floor
is presented in Table 4.2.

Student’s Book Form Three
84

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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 84
AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 84 10/01/2025 12:31