Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 19(3): 2933 - 2940. Published October, 2013.
Impact of prophylactic measures and the use of local food resources on the viability and growth of pre-weaning lambs in Djougou, in the northern region of Benin.
Doko Allou S.1, Farougou S.2*, Hountondji F.C.C. 1
1 Advanced National School of Agricultural Sciences and Techniques, Djougou, Republic of Benin
2 Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Unity of Research in
Biotechnology of Animal Heath and Production, 01 BP 2009, Cotonou,
République du Bénin
* Corresponding author: Prof. Dr Souaïbou FAROUGOU, Polytechnic School
of Abomey-Calavi, BP 2420 Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin. E-mail:
farougou@gmail.com
Key Words: Pre-weaning lambs, prophylactic measures, growth, Benin
1 SUMMARY
This study is an assessment of the impact of hygiene and
the utilization of local food resources on the viability and growth of
pre-weaning lambs raised on the farm of the National Advanced School of
Agricultural Sciences and Techniques of Djougou, Northern Benin. Daily
cleaning of the barn, prophylactic measures and food supplementation
with peanut and cowpea tops, yam and cassava peels, sorghum and rice
bran, led to a viability rate of 100% and a daily average weight gain
of 100 ± 10 g to 130 ± 10 g during the first three months of neonatal
Sahelian lambs. These interesting findings could help breeders
improving the viability rate of lambs, preventing lamb weight loss and
allowing expression of zootechnical performances across seasons. At the
macroeconomic scale, increase in sheep meat production and its
subsequent urban consumption will likely favour adoption of such
production strategy.
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