ASSESSMENTS OF SHEEP FATTENING PRACTICE AND CONSTRAINTS IN MUHER AKLIL WOREDA,GURAGE ZONE, SNNPRS, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A study was undertaken to assessments constraints of Sheep Fattening Systems in Muher Aklil woreda, gurage zone South nation nationality Regional state of Ethiopia. A random sampling technique following a formal qualitative survey was undertaken in three selected kebeles. Thirty households were used for the formal survey of which 63.3% was male and 36.7% was female. The higher proportion of the respondents (56.7%) is found in the age between 25 and 40 ages. Majority (73.3%) of the respondents were educated to elementary level. Majority (66.6%) family size of the respondents were ranged between 5 and 7. Majority (86.7%) of the respondents were married. Majority (66.6%) of the respondents were protestant. Around 44% of respondents kept ewes in their flock composition. Majority (86.7%) of the respondents practiced extensive sheep production systems. Major (60%) sheep production function were for income generation. The higher number of the respondents, used(25.6%) ram for fattening purpose than others. Herd composition indicated that Dyogana sheep the higher proportion (80%) followed by Bonga breed sheep (60%) in Woina Dega and kola kebeles, respectively. Major feed resources for sheep production in the study area were natural pasture. The houses for sheep mainly constructed from locally available materials. Sheep fattening was constrained by different challenges like feed shortage, disease, shortage of capital, lack of appropriate extension approach, shortage of water Feed shortage is very critical constraints in the study area. Disease mainly occurs during feed shortage periods.