A rapid appraisal of goat and sheep flock demography in East and West Africa: Method, results and application to livestock research and development

Abstract

Presents results from rapid surveys of sheep and goat populations in two semi-arid aras of Africa, viz, the Gourma region of Mali in West Africa and the South-east of Kajiado District, Kenya, in East Africa. Examines flock structure; i,e. holding or group size and flock demography; reproduction with particular reference to seasonality, age at first parturition, lambing interval, multiple births, annual reproductive rate & number of births per breeding female; and mortality and offtake.