Routing livestock rearing practices.
A routine is a fixed/regular way of doing something.
done repeatedly after a certain period of time
Feeding Practice
Animals are fed to cater for both maintenance and production requirements.
These are special types of feeding carried out on certain animals to cater for specific needs.
These include:
Flushing
The practice of giv ing extra quality feed to an animal around service time. In sheep it is done 2-3 weeks before tupping and 3 weeks after tupping.
In pigs it is done 3-4 weeks before service.
Importance of Flushing
It increases conception rates. It enhances implantation of the zygote.
In sheep it increases twinning percentage by 15-20%.
Steaming Up
Giving extra quality feed to an animal during the last weeks of gestation. In cattle it is done 6-8 weeks before calving.
Importance Steaming Up
It provides nutrients for maximum foetal growth.
It helps in the build up of energy for parturition.
It ensures the birth of a healthy animal.
It promotes good health of the mother.
It increases and maintains high milk yield after birth.
Creep Feeding
Feeding of young animals from birth to weaning.
Piglets
10 days old - introduced to creep pellets.
5 weeks old - creep pellets mixed with sow and weaner meals. 8 weeks old - weaning.
Lambs
Run with their mothers for natural suckling.
Bucks - introduced to succulent feeds and concentrates.
Kids
Meat goats kids suckle naturally.
Dairy goats, fed on milk artificially,
Given 0.5-1.25 litres up to the third week.
Introduced to concentrates at 3-4 months.
Weaned at 6-8 weeks of age.