Small Ruminant Production Systems in South Western Ethiopia

Rearing of small ruminants in Ethiopia is mostly of extensive type where both sheep and goats freely graze and browse in communal and private lands. Although, the country possess high number of animals, the net income obtained is still low. Farmers around the rural areas have of less awareness on treating their animals in veterinary clinics when certain sporadic and chronic diseases emerged. In the rural areas of Jimma, small ruminants seems to grow on the merit of nature where no any supplementary food is prepared. Some fattening practices started by merchants to sell for restaurants, bars and the people with higher demand in cultural festivity. This very book tries to investigate management system in terms of housing, feeds and feeding, watering,disease and disease control of small ruminants both in the town of Jimma and vicinity areas.