Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Preweaning Productivity of Suckling Goats and Sheep in Guadeloupe (FWI) under Intensive Reproductive Rate and Grazing Management

  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In Guadeloupe, small ruminants are reared for meat production under pasture conditions. Intensive rotative grazing systems (irrigated, fertilized and high-stocked tropical pastures) allow satisfactory levels of production but generate high post-grazing residues. Experiments were designed to control these. A system in which residuals were mown (RM) was tested in comparison to the control system (residuals remained, RR). The same design was carried out over two years with Creole goats and Martinik sheep. An accelerated reproductive rate (3 parturitions over 2 years) was carried out. Systems were compared at three parturition seasons per year (dry, intermediate and rainy seasons). Each group was composed of 20 goats (36.0±2.5 kg) or 20 ewes (46.8±2.4 kg). The systems exhibited high levels of productivity in both species compared to other results in the tropics: more than 50 and 30 offspring born alive per hectare and per reproductive season for the goat and ewe flocks, respectively. The annual production at birth was 110 kg kids/ha per year and 133 kg lambs/ha per year (i.e. 21% more). Corresponding values at weaning were 630 kg kids/ha per year and 785 kg lambs/ha per year (i.e. 25% more). The RM system produced 10% more than the RR system in Creole goats, while it produced 35% more in Martinik sheep. Seasonal effects and other factors of variation are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+
from $39.99 /Month
  • Starting from 10 chapters or articles per month
  • Access and download chapters and articles from more than 300k books and 2,500 journals
  • Cancel anytime
View plans

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

REFERENCES

  • Alexandre, G., Aumont, G., Fleury, J., Coppry, O., Mulciba, P. and Nepos, A., 1997. Production semi intensive au pâturage de caprins à viande en zone tropicale humide: le cas des cabris Créoles sur pangola (Digitaria decumbens) en Guadeloupe. INRA Productions Animales, 10, 43-54

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexandre, G., Aumont, G., Mainaud, J.C., Fleury, J. and Naves, M., 1999. Productive performances of Guadeloupean Creole goats during the suckling period. Small Ruminant Research, 34, 157-162

    Google Scholar 

  • Amer, P.R., McEwan, J.C., Dodds, K.G. and Davis, G.H., 1999. Economic values for ewe prolificacy and lamb survival in new zealand sheep. Livestock Production Science, 58, 75-90

    Google Scholar 

  • Aumont, G., Caudron, I., Saminadin, G. and Xande, A., 1995. Sources of variation in nutritive values of tropical forages from the Caribbean. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 51, 1-13

    Google Scholar 

  • Aumont, G., Pouillot, R., Simon, R., Hostache, G., Barré, N. and Varo, H., 1997. Les strongyloses digestives des petits ruminants dans les Antilles françaises. INRA Productions Animales, 10, 79-90

    Google Scholar 

  • Awa, D.N., Njova, A. and Ngo Tama, A.C., 2000. Economics of prophylaxis against Peste des petits ruminants and gastrointestinal helminthosis in small ruminants in North Cameroon. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 32, 391-403

    Google Scholar 

  • Awemu, E.M., Nwakalor, L.N. and Abubakar, B.Y., 1999. Environmental influences on preweaning mortality and reproductive performance of Red Sokoto does. Small Ruminant Research, 34, 161-165

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R.L., 1997. Résistance des petits ruminants aux helminthes en Afrique. INRA Productions Animales, 10, 99-110

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosman, H.G., Moll, H.A.J. and Udo, H.M.J., 1997. Measuring and interpreting the benefits of goat keeping in tropical farm systems. Agricultural Systems, 53, 349-372

    Google Scholar 

  • Chemineau, P, Mahieu, M., Varo, H., Shitalou, E., Jego, Y., Grude, A. and Thimonier, J., 1991. Reproduction des caprins et des ovins Créoles de Guadeloupe et de Martinique. Revue d'Elevage et de Médecine Veterinaire des Pays Tropicaux, (special issue), 45-50

  • Corbett, J.L., 2001. The challenging demand for increases in meat and milk production: enhancing the contributions of grazing livestock. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 14, (special issue), 112

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsi, M., Martha, G.B., Jr., Do Nascimento, D. and Balsalobre, M.A.A. Jr., 2001. Impact of grazing management on productivity of tropical grasslands. Proceedings of the XIX International Grazing Congress, Sao Paulo, Brasil, 801-806

  • Demirören, E., Shrestha, J.N.B. and Boylan, W.J., 1995. Breed and environmental effects on components of ewe productivity in terms of multiple births, artificial rearing and 8-month breeding cycles. Small Ruminant Research, 16, 239-249

    Google Scholar 

  • Devendra, C., 2001. Small ruminants: imperatives for productivity enhancement improved livelihoods and rural growth -- A review. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 14, 1483-1496

    Google Scholar 

  • Devendra, C. and McLeroy, G.B., 1982. Goat and Sheep Production in the Tropics. Intermediate Tropical Agricultural Series, (Longman, London), 271

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaz-Rivera, P., Torres-Hernández, G., Osorio-Arce, M., Pérez-Hernández, P., Pulido-Albores, A., Becerril-Pérez, C. and Herrera-Haro, J., 2000. Resistance to gastrointestinal parasites in Florida, Pelibuey and crossbred sheep in the mexican tropics. Agrociencia, 34, 13-20

    Google Scholar 

  • Dimsoski, P., Tosh, J.J., Clay, J.C. and Irvin, K.M., 1999. Influence of management system on litter size, lamb growth, and carcass characteristics in sheep. Journal of Animal Science, 77, 1037-1043

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes, A.A.O., Machado, F.H.F., Menezes, F.A.B. and Figueiredo, E.A.P., 1982. Reproductive performance of native goats versus hair sheep on different pasture types in ceara state in Brazil. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Goat Production and Disease, Brasilia, Brazil, 366 (Abstract)

  • Filho, C.G. and Vivallo, A.G., 1989. Desempenho tecnico e viabilidade econômica de urn sistema de produção alternativo para caprinos no sertão de pernambuco. Boletim de Pesquisa, 37, 5-34

    Google Scholar 

  • Gatenby, R.M., Doloksaribu, M., Bradford, G.E., Romjali, E., Batubara, A. and Mirza, I., 1997. Comparison of Sumatra sheep and three hair sheep crossbreeds II. Reproductive performance of F1 ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 25, 161-167

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez-Stagnaro, C., 1983. Comportamiento reproductivo de las razas locales de rumiantes en el Tropico Americano. In: P. Chemineau, D. Gauthier and J. Thimonier (eds), Reproduction des Ruminants en Zone Tropicale, (INRA Publications), 20, (INRA, Paris), 1-80

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, L.R., 1991. Tropical Pasture Utilisation, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge)

    Google Scholar 

  • Inounu, I., Iniguez, L., Bradford, G.E., Subandryo, and Tiesnamurti, B., 1993. Production performance of prolific Javanese ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 12, 243-257

    Google Scholar 

  • Kusiluka, L.J.M., Kambarage, D.M., Harrison, L.J.S., Daborn, C.J. and Matthewman, R.W., 1998. Causes of morbidity and mortality in goats in Morogoro district, Tanzania: the influence of management. Small Ruminant Research, 29, 167-172

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G.J. and Atkins, K.D., 1996. Prediction of lifetime reproductive performance of Australian Merino ewes from reproductive performance in early life. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 36 , 123-128

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahieu M., Aumont, G. and Alexandre, G., 1997. Elevage intensif des ovins tropicaux à la Martinique. INRA Productions Animales, 10, 21-32

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahieu M., Aumont, G., Menéndez Buxadera, A., Chemineau, P. and Alexandre, G., 2001. Productividad y duración de la vida del ovino tropical criados en pastos irrigados de la Martinica. Memorias XVII Reunión ALPA, La Habana, Cuba, 350

    Google Scholar 

  • Manyuchi, B., Tawonezvi, H.P.R. and Chiwara, R.M., 1991. Breed and environmental influences on weaner lamb production in Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 23, 115-125

    Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, R.T., Joaquin, N., Camón, K. and Palomino, E., 2001. The productivity of small animal species in small-scaled mixed farming systems in subtropical Bolivia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 33, 1-14

    Google Scholar 

  • Peiris, H., Elliott, R., Hales, J.W. and Norton, B.W., 1995. Alternative management strategies for maximising productivity in beef cattle in the subtropics. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 35, 317-324

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossanigo, C.E., Frigerio, K.L. and Silva Colomer, J., 1995. Producción de la cabra criolla sanluiseña. Memorias XIV Reunión ALPA, Revista Argentina de Producción Animal, 15, 1161-1164

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS, 1988. SAS User's Guide, Statistics, (SAS Institute, Cary, NC)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shetaewi, M.M., Abdel-Samee, A.M. and Bakr, E.A., 2001. Reproductive performance and milk production of Damascus goats fed Acacia shrubs or Berseem CLover hay in North Sinai, Egypt. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 33, 67-79

    Google Scholar 

  • Velasco, Z.Ma.E., Hernández-Garay, A., González-Hernández, V.A., Pérez, P.J. and Vaquera, H., 2001. Dinámica de crecimiento, rendimiento y calidad de forraje de Dactylis glomerata L. en respuesta a la defoliación. Memorias XVII Reunión ALPA, La Habana, Cuba, 77-79

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, R.T. and Light, D., 1986. Livestock production in central Mali: economic characters and productivity indices for traditionally managed goats and sheep. Journal of Animal Science, 62, 567-575

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Unité de Recherches Zootechniques, INRA Antilles-Guyane, Domaine Duclos – Prise d'Eau, 97170, Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe, French West Indies

    E. Ortega-Jimenez, G. Alexandre, R. Arquet, M. Mahieu & A. Xandé

Authors
  1. E. Ortega-Jimenez
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Alexandre
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Arquet
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Mahieu
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Xandé
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ortega-Jimenez, E., Alexandre, G., Arquet, R. et al. Preweaning Productivity of Suckling Goats and Sheep in Guadeloupe (FWI) under Intensive Reproductive Rate and Grazing Management. Tropical Animal Health and Production 37, 151–165 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000048444.38726.61

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000048444.38726.61