The individual follow-up of small ruminants in Senegal : a method for studying village herds

Abstract

The individual follow-up system is an investigation method that is particularly adapted to unusual farming conditions such as the ones that are encountered in sub-Saharan Africa. Under these conditions only a small amount of initial information is generally available but efforts are made to identify numerous factors of variation in the performances of these animals. The investigation method developed and used in Senegal by the P.P.R. programme (CIRAD-EMVT / ISRA-LNERV) is based on a precise demographic follow-up and includes information of a multi-discipline nature (zootechnic, medical, socio-economic) to characterise traditional small ruminant farms. The information can be recorded at specific times or periodically and either for individual animals or for the herd. Different possible frames of reference are presented (herd structure, reproduction, growth, mortality, economic evaluations, respiratory problems, parasitic infections, farming practises), demonstrating the versatility of this investigation system for studying the different factors governing an animal’s performance. The possibility of testing experimental apparatus with this method is also discussed.