Prospects and Constrains of Household Sheep Rearing at Subarnachar, Noakhali

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to investigate theprospects and constrains of household sheep rearing at Subarnochar,Noakhali. Data were collected through an interview schedule personally from 35 respondents in 8 unions of SubarnacharUpazila who were involved in sheep rearing. Parameters studied were farmer’s demographic information,farm demographic information, animal level information,feeds and fodder,health care, living condition of livestock and factors related to household sheep production. Among the farmers a total of 77.14% of the farmer was male and 22.85% was female. Most of the farmers were illiterate (71.42%) education level of farmers of primary, secondary were22.85% and 5.71%, respectively.Sheep rearing has been taken as a primary source of income of about 45.71% farmers. Out of total farmers 48.57% were trained up on sheep farming and 51.42%were non-trained. Based on experience about 54.28% farmers have atleast 10 years farming experience. Farmers have average 13.23 decimal grazing lands and94.28% farmerused roadside grass and 91.42% tree leaves and roadside grass for sheep rearing. About 31.42%, 85.71% and 82.85% farmers practiced vaccination, de-worming and shearing, respectively. About 22.85% farmers treat their sheep by veterinary doctor and 82.85% farmers practice dipping.57.14% farmer rely on only scavenging for fed their sheep and 42.85% farmer give concentrate with scavenging feeding. Agriculture was the main occupation of 51.42% and 28.57% farmer belongs to lower class before farming. On an average, 71.42% sheep suffer diarrhea while respiratory diseases found in 62.85% sheep. Age at first lambing (days) was 309 days whereasgestation period, lambing interval, lactation period, litter size were 142.20, 208.86,60.10 days and , 1.86 in numbers, respectively