TEMPLATE 3: Module Template

Module No. & Title Module 2: Production and Management in Ruminant

Animals

Module Overview The success of any farm animal production lies in the
ability to manage the animal properly. Selection of
breeding stock, proper housing and equipment, and proper
nutrition are only some of the examples contributing the
success of the farm production.

In this lesson we will discuss some of the production

management in Ruminant animals as what have mentioned
earlier.

Module
Objectives/Outcome After the completion of this module, you will be able to:
s
 Discuss how to take care of a breeding stock meant
for breeding in a Ruminant farm.

 Identify and Discuss the different housing needs in

ruminant production

 Discuss the principles behind some management

operation in ruminant production

 Identify the equipment used in ruminant production.

Lessons in the
module Lesson 1: Management of Ruminant Breeding Stock
Lesson 2: Housing in Ruminant Production
Lesson 3: Equipment used in Ruminant Production

Module No. and Module 2: Production and Management in Ruminant

Title Animals

Lesson No. and Lesson 1: Management of Breeding Stock in Ruminants

Title
Learning
Outcomes By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

 Discuss how to take care of a male meant for breeding

in a ruminant farm

 Discuss how to take care of a female used for

breeding in a ruminant farm

 Determine the best age to use breeding stock

 Recognize the heat period

Time Frame One week

Introduction Proper selection of a parent stock is one of the most
important factor among others, in order to have successful
ruminant production. The male as well as the female are
important because each of them provide half of the inherited
characteristics of the offspring. Therefore, the stockman i.e.
the farmer must accord good care for the breeding stock in
farm animals. Regardless of what type of production you
want either for meat or milk, it is very important to have a
good quality foundation stock.

Activity 1. Discuss the advantages and Disadvantages of the

following mating system.

a. Natural Mating

b. Controlled Mating

c. Synchronization Mating
 d. Artificial Insemination

Analysis 1. Which of the two parent materials (bull/ Cow), are

more important in establishing a foundation stock?
Support your answer.

2. Why proper selection of a foundation stock is a must

in establishing a farm animals?

Abstraction Management of Breeding Stock in Large Ruminants

Management a Bull

A successful breeding season is also dependent on the

success of the bull. The bull probably has more influence on
the success of the breeding season and the herd’s future
genetics because a cow produces one calf a year, while a
bull can potentially sire 25 – 60 calves annually. Prior to the
breeding season it is important to make sure bulls have
passed a breeding soundness examination.

Below are measures for effective management of breeding

bull:

 They should be kept alone in a pen to prevent

indiscriminate mating.

 The bull must not be used more than twice a week to

prevent being over-used and the frequency drops as
the bull ages. A young bull can be used for breeding
as from two years of age and this is a function of
many factors such as good and adequate feeding,
 health and general management practices.

 When used on pasture, a mating ratio of 1:10 is

recommended. This means one bull to 10 cows. If this
limit is exceeded, it may result into low sperm count -
ejaculates.

 Breeding bulls must be adequately fed with low

quality roughage and very little quantity of
concentrates.

 They must not be over-fed or under-fed. They must

not be allowed to put on excess fat. This can be
prevented by controlled feeding and allowing the bull
to exercise usually on pasture.

 Exercise is also important for the breeding bulls to

prevent sluggishness.

 Breeding bulls must be upstanding with good legs.

 Hence they must be under the watchful eye of the

stockman to ensure that they do not sustain injury on
the legs or any part of the body.

 The hooves must be trimmed regularly to prevent

overgrow, foot rot or lameness.

Management of Breeding Cow and Heifer

A cow is a female ruminant that is already being used for

breeding while a heifer is that which has not been used at all.
Like the bull, the cow must be adequately fed with good
quality feed, water in a barn or house. Female cattle are
often kept together but separated as the need arises for
mating. They must be allowed a lot of exercise.

They must be allowed to graze with the bull to stimulate

or help detect the heat period which is the period that female
animals are very receptive to their male counterpart. Prior to
this period, the cow can be giving feed in form of
concentrate to enhance conception rate. This act is called
flushing. The heat period of a cow lasts for about 17 hours
and it repeats itself every 21 days except if pregnant.

When the cow is on heat, it becomes restless, moos and

mounts on one another. The external part of the vulva
becomes swollen. It stands and allows the male to ride or
attempt to ride other females. The moment the cow is
detected to be on heat, mating must be carried out at about
twelve hours after to ensure a good conception rate.
Detection of heat is now computerized in some dairy farms
in developed countries and in a dairy farm in Niger State,
Nigeria.

Young female ruminant called heifer comes on their first

heat at about one year of age. At this point, they must not be
used for mating. However, a heifer is ready for breeding
from 18 to 21 months of age and can have its first calving at
about 30 to 36 months of age.

Mating Systems

Co-habitation between male and female is called mating.

In animal production, there are different mating systems that
can be used.

Natural Mating

This is a mating system where the male is allowed to

stay with the female and mate without assistance or
interference from the attendant or the stockman.

Controlled Mating

This is a mating system where a particular bulls are

assigned to mate a particular cows in a pen or in an
enclosure. This system is used where breeding records are
important and are taken. There are two types of controlled
mating namely; synchronisation and artificial insemination
(AI).

Synchronisation

In this type of controlled mating system, the oestrus of

the cow is synchronised such that all come on heat about the
same time. In this situation, synthetic sex hormones such as
oestrogen that comes under different trade names are either
injected or implanted either through the vagina or the ear on
the cow or heifer. This causes the animals to come on heat
about the same time hence they could be mated either by the
use of artificial insemination or a bull at the same time. The
advantage is that it allows for easy management of the cows
and their offspring especially if there is a loss of dam at
calving hence the calf could be fostered.

Artificial Insemination

This is also another form of controlled mating. This is

the process of collecting semen with living sperm from
proven bull using dummy female or vagina and the timely
introduction of same to the reproductive tract of a ready
female. This is only practised on some government farm in
Nigeria. The main problem with the system is that of heat
detection. However, the system has the advantage of
preventing disease and also overcoming time and space
problem.

Management of Pregnant Cow

The gestation period in cow is 272 to 292 days with an

average of 283 days. Immediately the cow holds on to
service i.e. become pregnant, it must be separated if it is a
farm where separate pens are available for pregnant or in-
cows. Otherwise, it must be kept under the watchful eye of
the attendant to prevent fighting or any action that can lead
to abortion. The cow is confirmed to be pregnant if it does
not return to oestrus and when introduced to a male it will
refuse mounting. Other means of detecting and confirming
pregnancy include:

 Rectal palpation could be carried out at about the fifth

week after mating through the genital organ of the
cow. The trained technician or a veterinarian wears a
glove and inserts his/her hand into genitals through
the rectum of the cow and gently palpate or feel the
development of the foetus.

 Hormonal changes in the animal system can also be

monitored.

 Observation of the physical behavioural changes of

the cow as it begins to undergo conformational
changes around the belly and loin area.
 Adequate feeding, good health care and gentle
handling must be given the cow at the first trimester of
pregnancy to prevent abortion. A good combination of good
quality succulent grass and legumes must be provided with
substantial supply of water. Slippery floor must be avoided
to prevent falling and dislocation. Draught must not be
allowed in the stall or pen and adequate ventilation ensured.
Pregnant cow must not be allowed to walk long distances to
prevent stress that may lead to abortion. Towards parturition,
the in-cow must be well monitored. A maternity pen must be
washed, disinfected well-bedded must be prepared for
calving.

Parturition or Calving in Cattle

At about the 272 days of pregnancy, an in-cow is ready

to calve. It must be taken to the calving or maternity pen
some few days to end of pregnancy which can be calculated
from the records kept by the stockman. If calving must be
done on pasture, a clean, quiet secluded place must be
prepared for it while the stockman watches, in case
assistance is required. Towards calving, the udder becomes
bigger, the vulva also swells and the ligaments around the
tail head drops.
Hormones such as oxytocin are released which helps in the
contraction of the uterus. The amniotic fluid is released and
the animal pushes for the foetus to be expelled. Normally,
the foetus comes out with the head laid over the forelegs for
ease of passage. After this, the placenta is expelled and
buried. The cow must not be allowed to eat it. If the placenta
does not come out between 5 to 8 hours of calving or foetus
comes with wrong presentation, the assistance of a
veterinarian must be sought.

In this part of the world, the cow licks the calf

immediately after calving to stimulate the lungs to
respiratory action; whereas in the advanced world, this trait
has been bred out from the animals. The cow must be
cleaned up by washing the vulva and the calf separated from
the mother where such facilities exist as in dairy farms or the
calf is allowed to run with the dam. Soon after birth, calves
must be identified by tagging, tattooing, branding or ear
notching.

Management of Calf after Parturition

After parturition, the calf may be reared on two basic

systems namely; natural and artificial rearing. Under the
natural rearing, the calf is allowed to run with the dam
thereby having unlimited access to the mother’s milk. This is
called a cow and calf system or single suckling system. If
the dam has foster calf, it is called nurse-cow method or
multiple suckling. In this situation, the calf stays with the
dam for not less than a period of about six months or about 9
months in some traditional system.

Management of Breeding Stock in Small Ruminants

Management of Ram

Management of ram is very crucial to breeding and

indeed the entire production of a sheep farm. If poorly cared
for, ram attain puberty at a prolonged age. Normally, a well-
managed ram in terms of adequate feeding, watering and
health care attain puberty at about 6 months of age if under
intensive management system. The ram could be older if
under the extensive system. Rams must be fed good mixture
of grasses and legumes in addition to which concentrates
may be given at about 300 to 500 gm per head per day. The
hooves must be adequately trimmed to prevent overgrowth
and foot rot. They must be regularly disinfected (every
quarter) to prevent external parasites.

Ram for breeding is kept in a separate pen or paddock

usually very close to the ewe to stimulate sexual desire. At
puberty, sperm production of the ram is usually of low
quality hence more mature and older rams must be used for
mating. There is the tendency to over-use the ram in an
extensive system of production. However, the acceptable
mating ratio of ram to ewe is between 1: 20 and 1: 30.
Excess rams on the farm not required for mating are often
castrated. Castrated rams are called wether.

Management of Buck

The buck is the male goat. It must attain the age of

about 12 to 18 months of age before it is used for mating.
Even though it reaches puberty earlier than 12 months it is
not advisable to use for mating. Buck should be penned
separately to prevent indiscriminate mating. It must be fed
good quality grass and legumes and given concentrate at
about 300 to 500 gm of concentrate on daily basis. A good
buck can be used for breeding for a period of 4 to 6 years
effectively. The mating ratio in goats is similar to what
obtains in sheep. Bucks that are not being used for mating
are usually castrated. Castrated bucks are called bullocks and
fattened for meat.

Management of a Female Sheep or Ewe

A female sheep is called “ewe”. It comes to puberty at

about the age of 6 to 12 months depending on adequate
feeding and healthcare. When nutrition is poor, sheep comes
to puberty as late as about 20 months. Attainment of puberty
has been shown to be related to the body weight of the
animal and breed. Large breeds have been shown to reach
puberty much later than small breeds. The moment a ewe is
selected for breeding, it must be separated and not allowed
to run with rams to avoid indiscriminate mating. Apart from
nutrition, the reproductive life of sheep is also influenced by
photoperiod or day-length or season particularly in the
temperate region. In the tropics and where there is adequate
feeding, this effect do not show as there exist little variation
in day length period throughout the year.

Conception rate in ewe can be increased by improving

the quality of feed given to the animal which subsequently
encourages ovulation. This process is called flushing. It may
require putting the female animal on a lush green pasture
with quality concentrate a month before mating. A female
sheep comes to oestrus or heat from 6 months of age and
thereafter heat re-occurs at every 15 to 17 days. Ewe must
not be allowed for mating at the first oestrus. Oestrus lasts
20 to 42 hours in sheep. The heat signs are similar to what
you have learnt for cattle.

Management of a Female Goat or Doe.

A female goat is called a “doe.” It comes to puberty at

about 6 months of age given good nutrition and healthcare.
Breeding in goats is also affected by photoperiodism i.e. the
influence of daily circle of light and darkness on the
physiology and behavior of an animal. The reproductive
activity is influenced by the shortening length of the day.
However because there is no much variation in the day
length in the tropics the effect is not very pronounced as
experienced in the temperate regions. A doe can be mated or
serviced as from about 12 months of age. It comes to oestrus
as from 6 months old and the oestrus lasts 24 to 36 hours
every 18 to 21 days. Like the sheep, a doe must not be
allowed for mating at first oestrus. Conception rate can be
increased by flushing the doe as for the sheep. The heat
signs are similar to what you have learnt for cattle.

Management of Pregnant Ewe and Doe

After mating, the ewe or doe must be separated from

the flock and kept in individual pen or monitored to ensure
safety to prevent abortion. The ram or buck must not be
allowed to run with the females again if on pasture. They
must be grazed on separate paddock or the prepuce of the
penis tied to the scrotum to prevent aggressive mating from
the males. Ewes or does must be well fed with good grass-
legume mixtures with minerals as supplements in form of
block multinutrients if available.
Concentrates at about 200 to 600 g per day may be given
toward the latter part of pregnancy (6 to 8 weeks) to provide
extra nutrients for the developing foetus.

The gestation period of an ewe is 140 to 150 days (21

to 22 weeks) which is similar to that of a doe. On the
average the gestation period in sheep and goat is about 5
months. With this, it is possible for an ewe or doe to give
birth at least once a year or thrice in two years. The act of
giving birth in sheep is called “lambing” while it is
“kidding”in goats.

Lambing or Kidding

Lambing or kidding defined above as it concerns sheep

and goats. Ewes and does demonstrate essentially the same
characteristics when giving birth. Towards the end of
pregnancy, the udder of the animal swells and becomes
larger. The ewe or doe becomes restless, bleats and there is a
hollow appearance on the flank region of the loin. Some
watery discharge that is opaque and yellowish is observed
from the vulva and the animal choose a secluded place to
give birth. Parturition process is completed within two
hours. The animal could be assisted if in distress or invite a
veterinarian especially if the foetus position is abnormal.
The normal position is when the lamb or kid comes out with
head rested on the fore leg coming out first from the vagina.
The dam cleans up the lamb or kid by licking the mucus
from the body and stimulate the lungs to respire in some
cases. The young animal after some time begin to show
signs of hunger and thereafter sucks the dam.

Management of Lamb/Kid

Under the extensive management, the dam (i.e. the

female parent) and the baby (lamb or kid) are allowed to run
together and penned together. The lamb or kid depend on the
dam’s milk for the early part of its life and begin to nib on
grasses or forage as from about 3 weeks of age which help
stimulate the rumen. If penned and separated, dry forage
mixtures such as hay is introduced to the young ones in
addition to milk replacers. The young animals can be
allowed to creep diets or grazing, is a design where young
animals have access to good quality feed usually
concentrates through small openings not big enough to allow
the dam to eat it up. The lamb or kids are weaned at about 6
to 8 weeks after birth. Weaning at about 6 weeks is called
early weaning.
 Management of Growing Sheep/Goats

After the separation of the breeding stock, the remaining

animals may be categorised either as fatteners or growers.
Fatteners are often given bulk feeding to assist in fast weight
gain for slaughtering. They are usually kept in a pen or
restricted reared together. In this case the male must have
been castrated and reared for meat.

Application From the discussion above, make your own summative

discussion about the importance of Breeding Management in
the success of ruminant production.
Give your best shot.

Closure Congratulations: you just have finished the lesson 1. You

may now proceed to lesson 2.
TEMPLATE 3: Module Template
Module No. & Title Module 2: Production and Management in Ruminant
Animals

Module Overview The success of any farm animal production lies in the
ability to manage the animal properly. Selection of
breeding stock, proper housing and equipment, and proper
nutrition are only some of the examples contributing the
success of the farm production.

In this lesson we will discuss some of the production

management in Ruminant animals as what have mentioned
earlier.

Module
Objectives/Outcome After the completion of this module, you will be able to:
s
 Discuss how to take care of a breeding stock meant
for breeding in a Ruminant farm.

 Identify and Discuss the different housing needs in

ruminant production

 Discuss the principles behind some management

operation in ruminant production

 Identify the equipment used in ruminant production.

Lessons in the
module Lesson 1: Management of Ruminant Breeding Stock
Lesson 2: Housing in Ruminant Production
Lesson 3: Equipment used in Ruminant Production
Module No. and Module 2: Production and Management in Ruminant
Title Animals

Lesson No. and Lesson 2: Housing for Ruminant Production

Title
Learning
Outcomes By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

 Discuss the different housing type for small and large

ruminant

 Enumerate the principles of housing types in ruminant

animal

Time Frame One week

Introduction
Proper housing and management of animal facilities are
essential to animal well-being, to the quality of research data
and teaching or testing programs in which animals are used,
and to the health and safety of personnel. A good
management program provides the environment, housing,
and care that permit animals to grow, mature, reproduce, and
maintain good health; provides for their well-being; and
minimizes variations that can affect research results.

Activity Conduct an observation regarding the housing design of

ruminants (Small or Large) in your nearest area. Based on
your observation, discuss what is/are the advantages and
disadvantages. Provide a photo together with yourself as
documentation.
Consider this following questions:
Analysis
1. Why do we need to consider the housing design/types
based on the number and type of animals you raise?
2. Is housing design can affect the productivity
 performance of your animals? In what way?

Abstraction Many factors should be considered in planning for

adequate and appropriate physical and social environment,
housing, space, and management. These include

 The species, strain, and breed of the animal and

individual characteristics, such as sex, age, size,
behavior, experiences, and health.

 The ability of the animals to form social groups with

conspecifics through sight, smell, and possibly
contact, whether the animals are maintained singly or
in groups.

 The design and construction of housing.

 The availability or suitability of enrichments.

 The project goals and experimental design (e.g.,

production, breeding, research, testing, and teaching).

 The duration of the holding period.

Several different designs for housing and handling

facilities are suitable for beef operations taking into
consideration the weather, topography, and the availability
of feed and pasture. It is important to know all the rules and
regulations with respect to location, design, and type of
operation.

It is important to choose a location for buildings and

handling facilities that is on well-drained soil with properly
designed surface water drainage situated away from streams,
other bodies of water and is not close to population centers.
Some Recommended Structures for Beef Cattle Housing

Open sided, single slope roof shed

This type of housing

is most typical of
structures used and is
suitable for all cattle on
the farm. This is the
least expensive of new
structures and very easy
to build. Open sheds
should face the south
for winter sun and block
the prevailing winds. Pole barns of this design can be
partitioned for groups of animals without complicated
interior construction.

Open sided, clear span pole shed

The clear span

provides more space
for equipment to
remove manure and
thus any side of the
building can be open
to the environment.
The gable end of the barn is recommended to be open so that
the discharge of rain is not over the open side of the
building. This type of housing is more practical for smaller
sized herds (under 20 head of cattle).
Hoop Barns

One of the least

expensive structures
for housing cattle is
the hoop barn. Hoop
barns are similar to
greenhouses. One
disadvantage is the
heat and ventilation
problems during the
summer months, but this should not pose an issue if you are
planning on grazing your cattle during the warmer climate
months.

Feeding Equipment

Feed Bunks

The main requirements

for feed bunks are that
they are practical, good
quality, rugged, and
economical. The bunk
length and capacity
should meet livestock
requirements, depending
on the number of heads
Portable Hay Feeders

This portable feeder is

a proven hay-saving
design for free-choice
supplementary hay
feeding in a field,
feedlot, or loose
housing barn. The
sloping spacers allow
cattle of varying sizes
to feed comfortably with their heads inside the feeder. This
helps to reduce waste since cattle do not have to withdraw
their heads to stand and chew.

Round and big

bale feed racks are
easy to load, move,
and also prevent hay
wastage. The round
version requires a
bender to reform the
square tube rails, but
the round shape
makes it easier to roll
it from place to place. The square version is easier to build in
the farm shop, and it can be completely collapsed for
transport in a pickup truck. Important feed- saving features
are the solid lower section and the slanted divider bars
above.

Water Equipment

Many watering equipment system options are available.

Different systems may be used throughout the year. If you
are grazing animals, you may want portable water tanks to
reduce the impact of cattle in one location. In the winter,
depending upon your climate, you may need heated units for
use in pasture. There are many things to consider when
selecting a system for use on your farm. The most important
factor to understand your livestock’ water needs and ensure
that the current system can meet those requirements.

Headgate

The head gate is the most important part of the entire

working facility. It should be sturdy, safe, and easy to
operate, and work smoothly and quietly. Headgates come in
four basic types;

The self-catching headgate -

closes automatically due to the
movement of the animal.

The scissors-stanchion type - has

bi- parting halves that pivot at
the bottom.

The positive-control
type locks firmly
around the animal’s
neck.
 The fully opening stanchion consists of
two biparting halves that work like a
pair of sliding doors.

Holding Chute

The holding chute is secured to the head gate and located

immediately behind it. The holding chute should generally
not be any wider than 26 inches but should be adjustable in
order to compensate for different-size animals. The sides
should be solid so that animals are not able to look out and
be scared by their surroundings.

Working Chute

The working chute connects the holding chute with the

holding pen. It should be long enough to hold five to six
animals at a time.

Crowding Pen

The crowding pen is located at the back of the working

chute. Size should be about 150 square feet. This area will
hold five or six head of cattle.
Holding Pens

Holding pens should mesh conveniently with the rest of

the facility. Each holding pen should provide approximately
20 square feet of space per animal.

Scales

Scales are optional depending on your size operation but

can be useful in weighing cattle. The scales should be
located so cattle can be easily moved on and off. Do not
locate scales in highly trafficked areas.

Loading Chute

The loading chute may be optional if a trailer is used to

transport animals. The loading chute should be located
directly off the crowding pen.

Housing for small ruminants

Small ruminants have always been left with poor

housing facilities in spite they perform well. Better housing
management will boost their performance. There are some
key points to be considered while housing for small
ruminants like orientation, elevation, space requirement, and
length of wall, shed, feeders and water trough.
Type of housing

Shed type

Animals can move freely in or out of the housing area

and into the paddock or feeding area (see Figure below).
Feeding and watering trough, mineral feeders and grain
bunks are located on concrete pads at the center or along the
side of the shed.

Pen-barn type

Stall barns

Each animal is confined in a stall. Stalls are provided

with individual feeding and watering trough (see Figure
below).

Source:
google images
 Confined housing

In confined housing,
group pens for animals
with the same sizes should
be constructed and
provided with an ample
area for exercise. Feeding
trough should be fenced
off with bamboo or
wooden slats providing ample space that will enable the
animals to insert only its head. This will prevent the animal
from stepping or trampling the grasses. Watering devices
should be placed in an area where spilled water will not
mess up the pen.

Application Strategize/ Make a housing design. Use any resources that

are available in your area. And make a short description of
your finished output. (Submit it on/or before midterm exam).

Closure Congratulations: you just have finished the lesson 2. You

may now proceed to lesson 3.

Reference:

[Link] Available online

Module No. and Module 2: Production and Management in Ruminant
Title Animals

Lesson No. and Lesson 3: Equipment and Management

Title Practices in Ruminant Production
Learning
Outcomes By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

 Discuss the principle behind some management operation

in ruminant production
 Recognise and identify the equipment used in ruminant
production.

Time Frame One week

Introduction
For easy production of ruminant or any farm animal certain
equipment have been designed and are used to facilitate
management operation. In ruminant animals, these equipment
appear to be common and work with the same principle. Virtually
all of these equipment are imported but could also be fabricated
locally.

Activity Before we proceed to the proper lesson, let’s have some fun!

Write what have you learned from the given equipment and
practices, and let us see if you are correct after our
discussion.

Tools/Activities Purposes/uses

a. Burdizzo

b. Elastrator
 c. Drenching gun

d. Ear tag

e. Tattooing tools

f. Nipple feeders

g. Disbudding

h. Castration

i. Tattooing

j. Tail docking

k. Ear notching

Analysis 1. What is the purpose of castration, is there any

advantage from castrated animals from intact ones in
terms of their meat quality? Why or why not? Site at
least one example of its advantages if there’s any and
discuss.

2. Why do we need to perform those mentioned

activities? What are the consequences if those
activities were not performed?

Abstraction
Equipment Used in Ruminant Production

The following equipment are used in ruminant animal

production.
 a. Weighing Scale

This is used to know the weight of the animal. There are

different types; the walk-in type for the animal (both young and
adult depending on their capacity) e.g weigh bridge where the
animal walks on the scale or is transported on it and hanging
scale.

b. Burdizzo Castrator

This is used to castrate unwanted males on the farm

Castration is the act of making a male animal impotent by open
or a surgical removal of its scrotum.

c.

Elastrator

It is a bloodless castrator that use the ring method

d. Ear tag Forcep/Puncher

 Used for fixing ear tag to the ear of the animal for
identification.

e. Tattooing Machine

Tattooing is making durable marks, design or patterns on the

skin of an animal by pricking the skin and rubbing dyes or stains.
Tattooing machine is an equipment similar to pliers as shown in
Fig. below with set of letters arranged and well fitted to the
tongue of the pliers. It then rubbed with an indelible ink to give a
permanent marking.

f. Nipple Feeders

For feeding young cattle with milk replacers.

 g. Drenching Gun

This is made of a long tube or rubber hose long enough to

enter the mouth of ruminants. It is used for oral administration of
liquid drug especially during de-worming exercise.

Management Practices in Ruminant Production

Certain management operations are performed on ruminant

animals for effective production of the herd or the individual
animal itself. Some of these shall be discussed hereafter.

Debudding

This is the act of removing the horn at its budding stage in

cattle, sheep and goats. Most breeds of these animals carry horn
which when fully grown may become source of injury to the
other animals in the flock/herd.

This operation is carried out at about age 3 to 4 weeks of age

on any of the animals. The young ruminant is haltered (i.e. using
a rope to restrain it) to a pole, held down by the stockman and the
base of the horn is felt with bare hand of the operator. The hair
around it is shaved and local anesthesia is injected at the base of
the eyelid or forehead to minimize pain. A hot iron cauterizer is
then plugged into electricity. The hotness of the iron is
determined by its ability to burn a piece of dry wood. The hot
iron is then applied to the horn bud and carefully twisted to
remove the bud. A scar is then left over the tissue at this point.
This operation is commonly done in ruminant production
especially in the temperate region and most local experimental
stations.

The alternative that is common here is the use of handsaw to

remove pointed and dangerous horns of adult cattle.

Castration

Castration is the act of removing the testicles of a male animal

to render them ineffective. This operation is carried out on all
unwanted males in ruminant production. This management
operation prevents unwanted breeding and improves the carcass
quality of the animal. It can be carried out by surgically operation
or bloodlessly by the use of a burdizzo or rubber ring elastrator
after the animal must have been haltered.

Surgical operation is done within the first week of the

animal’s life while the bloodless one could be done within the
first two weeks of life.

Identification

a. Ear Tagging: This is done for identification purposes.

The animal is haltered and the tag is placed in the
applicator then clamped to the pina of the ear. Caution
must be taken not to damage the blood vessels on the pina.
Other operations for identification includes:

Tattooing, ear notching, skin branding, horn branding and the use
of neck chains or tags- either plastic or metals.

b. Tattoing

c. Ear notching is cutting the ears in a particular shape and

coding the shape. It involves the use of razor or scissors to
cut a “V” shape on the tip of the pina. The position of the
cut indicate numbers. If it is at the top of the pina it
denotes 1, if at the tip, 5 and if under, it is 3. The right ear
represent tens while the left represent units. The two is
added to give the animal an identification number in the
 herd.

d. Skin and horn branding are very common in our local

setting. Hot iron is used to write numbers and at times
names of owners of the animal on their skin or horn. This
practice is very common with cattle.

Drenching

This is giving the animal medicine to drink. Usually a

drenching gun is used. However, it can be improvised by the use
of a long-necked bottle on which is fastened a short piece of
plastic or rubber tubing. The animal is held in standing position
and the bottle put at the back of the mouth so that the content can
run into the oesaphagus. This process is used for deworming.

De-worming

The animals are de-wormed regularly at least two times in a

year corresponding to seasons and time of turning them to
pasture.

Hoof Trimming

This carried out by the use of hoof trimming knife. Overgrown

hooves are trimmed to ensure it does nor harbour germs or
disease and allow the animal to walk well. The debris in the hoof
must be removed before carefully cutting the hoof in slices to
ensure the tissue is not cut.

Docking

The tails of ruminants are cut in a process called docking.

This is practiced especially in sheep within one week of life.
Long tails in sheep at times do not make for good mating at adult
age. An elastrator could be used at times to dock the animal and
the wound treated. At this age the pain is minimized.
Application Supply the information based on what you have learned.

What I have What I have learned

Tools/Activities learned before the after the discussion
discussion

a. Burdizzo

b. Elastrator

c. Drenching
gun

d. Ear tag

e. Tattooing
tools

f. Nipple
feeders

g. Disbudding

h. Castration

i. Tattooing

j. Tail docking

k. Ear notching

Closure Congratulations: you just have finished the lesson 3. You are
now ready to proceed to the next set of lessons.