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MoARD
TECHNICAL BULLETIN No.13
STRATEGIES FOR SHEEP AND GOAT
FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT DURING
DROUGHT
Further information:
Ethiopia Sheep and Goat Productivity Improvement Program (ESGPIP)
Tel. +251 011 416 6962/3
Fax: +251 011 416 6965
E-mail: pvamrf_ethiopia@ethionet.et
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FOREWORD
This technical bulletin titled “Strategies for Sheep and Goat Feeding and Management during
Drought” is the thirteenth in a series of technical bulletins produced by the Ethiopia Sheep and Goat
Productivity Improvement Program (ESGPIP) as an extension support tool to improve the productivity
of sheep and goats in Ethiopia.
Drought is a recurrent phenomenon affecting sheep and goat productivity in many parts of Ethiopia,
leading to shortages of fodder and water. Both immediate production and lifetime performance are
affected by underfeeding. Drought always presents unique and difficult management situations. Some
common feeding and management options are presented in this technical bulletin.
In most cases, no single strategy will be sufficient to solve this problem. Each situation will require a
unique set of strategies. The options to employ and their degree of implementation depend on the
prevailing circumstances. Of the tools suggested here, a combination will probably be most effective. It
is for the extension worker and farmer/Pastoralist to decide on the options most appropriate for a given
set of circumstances.
Kebele Development Agents (KDA’s) should use this technical bulletin as an extension aid to mitigate
the effects of drought in their respective kebeles.
At this juncture, I would like to thank all those involved in the preparation and review of this technical
Bulletin.
Desta Hamito (Prof.)
Chief of Party
ESGPIP
May, 2008
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD............................................................................................................................... i
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... ii
1. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
2. Alternative strategies .......................................................................................... 2
2.1. Destocking (Limit numbers of animals) .................................................... 2
2.2. Supplementation ............................................................................................ 3
2.3. Maintenance feeding .................................................................................... 4
2.4. Adjusting grazing strategies during drought ................................... 4
2.5. Adjustment of animal management ..................................................... 5
2.6. Early weaning and creep feeding .......................................................... 5
2.7. Development and effective utilization of feed resources ........ 5
2.7.1. Planting of additional feed resources ........................................................... 5
2.7.2. Conservation of fodder as hay or standing hay: ......................................... 6
2.7.3. Use of potential feed resources from drought tolerant plants such as
cactus (Opuntia spp.): ................................................................................... 6
2.7.4. Use of crop and industrial byproducts: ........................................................ 6
2.7.5. Use of supplements: ...................................................................................... 7
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Strategies for Sheep and Goat Feeding and Management
during Drought
Prepared By: Alemu Yami
Edited by: R.C. Merkel
1. Introduction
Many parts of Ethiopia experience extended periods of drought, leading to shortages of fodder
and water. The effects of underfeeding in the dry season can affect both immediate production
and lifetime performance of livestock. Drought always presents unique and difficult
management situations. During these periods, sheep and goats are unable to meet their nutrient
needs for maintenance and will begin to lose weight as body reserves are depleted. As this
happens, the females do not come into heat and so do not breed. Those already pregnant will
produce very weak lambs and kids. During very long dry spells, animals will die with the
youngest, weakest and oldest dying first.
In most cases, no single strategy will be sufficient to solve this problem. Each situation will
require a unique set of strategies. Some common options are presented in this technical
bulletin. The options to employ and their degree of implementation depend on the prevailing
circumstances. Of the tools suggested here, a combination will probably be most effective. It is
for the extension worker and farmer to decide on the options most appropriate for a given set of
circumstances. Availability and costs of off-farm inputs, together with the perceived value
(sales and outputs used within the household) will be the determining factors.
Borana area, March, 2006
Dead sheep and goats belonging to one family
(Dalifagi Kebele, Afar region, 2002)
Figure 1. Effects of extreme cases of drought
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2. Alternative strategies
2.1. Destocking (Limit numbers of animals)
Destocking is the intentional removal of drought-affected animals through accelerated off-take
to terminal markets or through immediate slaughter for wet and/or dry meat distribution.
During droughts, livestock could provide benefit to their owners as sources of food and/or cash
through destocking.
2.1.1. Selling stock: For communal grazing areas this depends on a good social
structure in the community. Restrictions imposed by governments are rarely successful.
Widespread veterinary treatment can aggravate the problem resulting from drought, but
improvement of marketing opportunities to increase off-take should be encouraged. Under
severe drought situations this involves accelerate livestock off-take by livestock
traders/exporters in emergency operations. Such an intervention could substantially
increase the volume of off-take, provided the necessary linkages between livestock traders
and pastoralists have been arranged in time. Early de-stocking of mature male animals
offers considerable financial benefit to pastoralists, even if the perceived drought does not
occur. The option of selling stock should almost always be the first measure taken in the
early period of drought. The aim should be to keep the breeding flock substantially intact
so that the farmers/pastoralists can recover their stock numbers as rapidly as possible when
the drought breaks. To do this, stock should be sold by class as the drought progresses
starting with finished young stock, aged stock and older breeders until a nucleus of healthy,
young, sound, breeding females –– most valuable for restocking when the drought ends ––
remains. The timing of selling stock and the condition of the stock at sale are important
considerations. Prices received are likely to be better if stock is sold early in the drought
before the market becomes congested with a high supply of animals. Stock should be in
reasonable condition to fetch higher prices. This strategy is more effective for prolonged
droughts. Selling only a small percentage of stock may be necessary during short droughts.
This will normally be compensated by increased performance per animal of the remaining
stock as a result of reduced stocking rate.
2.1.2. Move animals to other areas: Traditional movements of animals out of arid
areas in the dry season routinely practiced in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas will help
reduce pressure on grazing resources and animal conditions. Assistance in the form of
providing information that guides movements to places of available resources can
complement traditional practices.
2.1.3. Emergency slaughter (Humane destruction): Humane destruction of stock is
another strategy which may be applied at times of very low livestock prices, or when
animals are unfit to be transported. Humane destruction should be carried out when animals
are approaching a condition too poor to survive. Decreasing competition for feed will help
the remaining animals to stay in better condition and be more productive following the
drought. The emergency slaughter of livestock during drought for fresh or dried meat
production for distribution as food aid or sale can be considered. Alternative approaches
range from the construction of specific slaughter/processing infrastructure and the
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employment of local labor for meat processing as adopted by CARE in southern Ethiopia
to the use of existing buildings and contracted processors who retail the final product plus
offal and skin such as experienced in Kenya. A simple slaughter facility is likely to be
required; however, meat drying can be done in the open with little risk of infestation if the
meat is soaked in a brine solution prior to drying. Whatever the processing system, fresh
carcasses should be inspected for health risks. Compensation for slaughtered stock can be
in grain or cash, the latter being preferable where grain markets are effective. This is a kind
of intervention that needs to be organized and coordinated at a level higher than the Kebele
Development agent by NGOs or government agencies.
2.2. Supplementation
Supplementary feed can be provided only if it is available in drought-stricken areas. This
usually means that the transport of feed into these areas must be organized by the government
or an aid program. Concentrates are preferred to roughages for drought feeding because of
higher nutrient density and ease of transport.
Supplementary feeding should normally start before animals have lost more than 15% of their
normal mature body weight. Do this by assessing animals of different categories at intervals
before the start and at different stages during the drought period. Weights of samples of
animals from each category can be taken using simple hanging balances using slings (Figure
2). If animals are allowed to lose weight slowly and systematically they will be able to stay
healthy on survival diets during droughts at 66% of their normal mature body weight (e.g.
sheep - 50 kg down to 33 kg). This rule does not apply to pregnant animals because large
weight losses can lead to abortion.
a. balance hanging from a tree
b. balance hanging from a tripod
Figure 2. Weighing sheep using a hanging balance
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2.3. Maintenance feeding
The objective of drought feeding is often aimed at survival or maintenance. Sheep and goats
will normally be fed just sufficient feed to maintain their weight in a condition of at least at a
body condition score 2 until the drought ends (see Technical Bulletin No. 8 on body condition
scoring). Goats will generally have better body condition than sheep under the same
environment due to their feeding habits. In a short drought, maintenance feeding is likely to be
a low-cost strategy. However, maintenance feeding can be expensive if the drought is
prolonged. This strategy is more successful if implemented in association with reduction of
animal numbers before commencing feeding.
Protein-rich concentrates, enough to satisfy about half of the animals’ maintenance
requirements, should be given provided that there is still some poor quality vegetation
available. If the drought worsens, the complete maintenance requirement will have to be fed by
means of supplementary feed. If the protein content of the available concentrate is low, it may
be necessary to feed a protein supplement such as urea at the rate of a few grams per day.
Oilseed cake has been demonstrated to be especially useful for stimulating roughage
consumption during a drought. When a limited quantity of supplement is available, it should be
supplied to those members of the flock that are most needy (pregnant and lactating animals).
Feeding should start well before sheep/goats become weak. It may take some time before they
become accustomed to a new feed supplement. If animals have lost too much condition before
feeding has begun, it may be hard to lift their live weight back to desirable levels. This is
particularly applicable to lambs/kids or weaners that were not fed supplements when grazing
with their mothers.
One rule of thumb is to feed a supplement when half the flock has fallen to a body condition
score of 2 or below. If the condition after this level of supplementation still falls, lift the
feeding rate. Stop feeding when only a quarter of the stock remains at a body condition score
of 2 or less after the drought ceases.
2.4. Adjusting grazing strategies during drought
Below is a list of strategies to help producers avoid crisis in times of drought. It is best to
assess options at the first sign of drought.
o Adjust stocking rate to the carrying capacity of dry years. Reduce stocking rate early.
Increase stocking rate gradually after the drought, over a period of 1–3 years.
o Graze areas with limited water reserves first.
o Rest pastures or delay grazing in all pastures periodically. Lengthen pasture rest periods
during slow or no growth times. Plants can withstand severe grazing if followed by
proper rest periods. These rest periods allow plants time to replenish tissues above and
below the ground.
o Maintain emergency pastures that can only be used during emergencies.
o Transport animals.
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2.5. Adjustment of animal management
The following changes in animal management are useful to improve utilization of feed
resources during drought.
o Parasite control: Animals under nutritional and heat stress are less resistant to
parasites than under normal conditions. Strategic deworming during a drought will
relieve some of the nutritional stress on the animal and "clean up" the herd for the next
favorable season.
o Herd segregation: Young animals are not able to compete with mature ones for
pasture or supplemental feed. Drought feed is costly and it is important to feed only
those animals that really need it. Vulnerable classes can be segregated and given
preferential treatment. The older, dry animals can be moved to poorer pasture or range
areas.
2.6. Early weaning and creep feeding
o Creep feeding: Creep feeding is simply providing supplemental feed separately to
young animals while they are still suckling. Creep rations should contain 12–13 MJ/kg
of metabolisable energy with a protein content of between 13 and 16% depending on
the protein levels in the forage.
o Early weaning: The nursing ewe/doe has energy and protein requirements 200-300%
of that required by dry ewes/does. Weaning will decrease these nutritional demands on
the ewe/doe, and she will be more likely to maintain body condition which will be
important for re-breeding and is critical in improving conception rates. Pasture and
rangeland forages decline rapidly in quality and quantity during drought. Early weaning
and placing of weaned lambs/kids on feed in dry lots during drought serves to decrease
the grazing pressure on pastures, and allows for existing forages to be used for
maintenance of the body condition of the ewe/doe flock. There are several protein
supplements that are formulated to be mixed with whole shelled corn for
growing/finishing lambs.
2.7. Development and effective utilization of feed resources
Strategies for supplying adequate amount of roughage during drought emergencies include:
2.7.1. Planting of additional feed resources
o Better feed supply throughout the year may be achieved through growing species of
grass with a higher nutritive value; growing legumes; growing fodder crops; controlled
grazing; the use of fertilizer and the integration of small ruminants with plantations,
e.g., of sugar cane.
o Establishment of fodder banks in appropriate areas: Fodder banks and improved forages
can be established in strategic sites along river basins (Awash, Wabe-Shebele, etc.).
Production of improved forages should focus on those species that have high biomass
yield potential such as Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Rhodes grass (Chloris
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gayana), Guinea grass (Panicum sp.) and Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris).
o Growing species of grass and legumes which retain their nutritive value into the dry
season can be practiced under rain fed conditions. Stylosanthes spp. can be used
successfully in this regard.
o Growing shrubs and trees. Many palatable trees (such as Acacia spp.) retain their leaves
into the dry season and so can be lopped for fodder.
o Growing drought resistant plants such as spineless cactus that can be used as fodder
during drought emergencies.
2.7.2. Conservation of fodder as hay or standing hay:
In situations where drought is predictable, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers should
develop a strategy of conserving forage and awareness creation is very important in this regard.
Hay making can be an option in areas with reasonable grass growth during the normal pasture
growing period. Hay can be used as a supplement during the dry period and also during
drought. Experience in the Borana area suggests that good quality hay can be produced from
native range pasture in the pastoral areas also. Making hay demands labor. Preserving some
part of the rangeland as "standing hay" is the other option for the pastoral setting. However, the
quality of this feed resource is substantially reduced when used in the form of standing hay.
2.7.3. Use of potential feed resources from drought tolerant plants such as cactus
(Opuntia spp.):
Cactus is a drought tolerant plant that grows in arid and semi-arid areas. It can be grown on
road sides and degraded soils that cannot support other crops. Young cactus leaves (cladodes)
are rich in water (about 90%), ash (20%) and calcium (1.4%) contents and can be used as
sources of soluble carbohydrate and water during drought. On the other hand, the protein, fiber
and phosphorus contents are low. Thus, when cactus is used as drought feed it should be
supplemented with cheap sources of protein and essential minerals such as phosphorus and
sulphur. It is advisable to provide fibrous feeds such as hay and straw before or together with
the cactus. In spiny varieties, the spines can be removed either by burning individual pads or
by chopping. Cactus needs to be chopped to reduce its size for sheep and goats to promote
consumption due to its large size.
2.7.4. Use of crop and industrial byproducts:
Considerable quantities of cereal straw, husk, oil-seed residues, vegetable waste and cotton,
coffee, groundnut and sugar residues are produced in some parts of the country. By-products of
sugar factories such as cane tops and bagasse (for those in the proximity of a sugar factory)
provide substantial quantity and quality of feed resources of huge significance for use during
drought. Some residues are well-utilized, others are beginning to be utilized but much is
wasted. The feeding value of these residues must be appreciated and practical problems such as
transport and method of feeding must be tackled. The nutritive value of residues can be
improved by correct harvesting and storage, supplementation with a protein source and
physical/ chemical treatment. Locally occurring sources of protein, such as tree pods (e.g.
Acacia pods) should be fully utilized.
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2.7.5. Use of supplements:
Where one specific nutrient is lacking a supplement can have a dramatic effect on productivity.
For instance urea, minerals and molasses give non-protein nitrogen, specific minerals and
energy, respectively. Although supplements are often fed on a daily basis, they can be fed as
infrequently as once per week. However, if adopting this strategy, care must be taken with urea
containing compounds, especially with group-fed animals. The following include some
supplements that can be used during drought depending upon availability and access.
Byproducts: There are a number of agricultural and agro-industrial by-products that
can be used as supplements based on their availability and ease of use. Agro-industrial
by-products are the by-products of the primary processing of crops and they include the
following:
o Milling by-products.
o Oilseed cakes.
o Molasses.
o Occasional surplus grain or grain damaged during processing.
Herbaceous or tree legumes: The use of herbaceous or tree legumes as supplements
during drought is also possible but wider use is constrained by limited availability.
Foliage and/or pods of trees such as different types of Acacia species can be used as a
substitute for concentrate supplement. In general, the supplements are expected to play
a catalytic role in feed utilization and are needed in small quantities relative to the basal
roughage. Thus, they may be of relatively higher price and could be transported over
longer distances.
Molasses: Contains high levels of sugars which are readily digested in the rumen. It is
also a good source of minerals such calcium, potassium, sulphur and trace minerals but
deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus. It can be a major or minor component of drought
feed. It is a concentrated source of energy that can be stored for a long period of time.
Molasses is often used as a carrier for urea because it is palatable and provides a wide
range of minerals.
Molasses/urea supplements in liquid or block form: Are good methods of feeding
supplements depending upon the proximity and availability of molasses. In areas
accessible to sugar factories, molasses-urea mixtures can be used in the form of liquid
lick while the block is the preferred mode of use for areas more distant. In areas that are
far away from the sugar factories, transportation of molasses and availability of storage
tanks are the main limiting factors in the use of liquid molasses as emergency feed.
This requires long term planning concerning the transport and storage of molasses in
drought prone areas. Molasses/urea blocks are consumed slowly and intake is restricted
by the hardness of the blocks, which is important in conserving the primary feed
resource where intake cannot easily be controlled (See Technical Bulletin No. 1 How to
Make Urea Molasses Blocks (UMB) and Feed to Sheep and Goats).
Mixed ration supplements: For maintenance or survival feeding of mature sheep and
goats. Animals of reproductive age (25-30 kg live weight) should have access to an
adequate supply (400-600 g) of native grass hay or cereal straw and can be fed a
concentrate supplement of 150-200 g DM per day.
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3. SUMMARY
Drought is a recurrent phenomenon in both farming and pastoral areas of Ethiopia that
seriously affects the productivity of sheep and goats. A number of feeding and other
management strategies can be applied to reduce the negative effects of drought on sheep and
goat performance. These revolve around balancing animal numbers with available feed
resources and include reducing animal numbers through destocking, strategic supplementation
of vulnerable groups of animals, adjusting grazing strategies during drought and development
and efficient utilization of feed resources. The specific strategy or combination of strategies to
apply will depend on assessment of each situation.
