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Sheep Fattening, Marketing Systems and Constraints of Ethiopia: A Review

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DOI: 10.5829/[Link].2020.416.421

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World Applied Sciences Journal 38 (5): 416-421, 2020
ISSN 1818-4952
© IDOSI Publications, 2020
DOI: 10.5829/[Link].2020.416.421

Sheep Fattening, Marketing Systems and Constraints of Ethiopia: A Review

Nurlign Mohammed

Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to understand fattening practices, marketing systems and constraints of
sheep in case of Ethiopia. Sheep rearing is one of the main cash income sources for the farmers in our country.
The objective of raising sheep under feedlot system is to achieve maximum growth rate in minimum period of
time. The sheep can easily adopt intensive system of production under feedlot system. The marketing system
of sheep were predominantly characterized as producer-consumer and followed by producer-local trader-
consumer in some extent. For most rural and peri-urban and urban sheep fatteners, the fattening activities are
seasonal. Among most sheep fatteners, feed ranked first as a constraint. Feed shortage is one of the limiting
factors for increasing production and productivity of small ruminant in most of the agro-ecological zones in
Ethiopia. Water problem in amount and quality can cause different problems such as - constipation, drying off
of digestive tract, low milk and related products and low metabolic activities with lowered body condition
(emaciation). Liver flukes (Faciolia hepatica and Faciola gigantic) are causing the main health problem for sheep.
The major constraints are the traditional management systems which are not market oriented, underdeveloped
marketing systems and poor infrastructure, poor financial facility and presence of cross-border trade. Therefore,
to decrease fattening period and to increase income feed availability with quality, access of water, veterinary
services and full filed market infrastructures are the most important activities for sheep fattening.

Key words: Constraint Fattening Cycle Fattening Practice Marketing System

INTRODUCTION fattening in Ethiopia has been recognized as a potential

profitable activity that enhances the income of
Ethiopia has diverse agro-ecological zones suitable smallholder farmers.
for livestock production [1]. Ethiopia is a country in East Traditionally, farmers in Ethiopia are used to fatten a
Africa where agriculture is the main stay of the economy. few sheep based on available inputs targeting sales
More than 85% of the population depends on agriculture during festive holidays. This is based on limited
for their livelihoods [2]. Ethiopia has one of the largest scientific and technical knowledge in feeding systems
livestock populations in Africa with the estimated number and husbandry practice [6]. Sheep are reared in various
of the total sheep population is to be about 31.30 million agro-ecological condition of the country. The suitability
[3]. Most of the small ruminant population of the country of an area for either animal or crop production and the
is kept by smallholder farmers and small ruminant type of animal or crop to be produced depends on the
production in the country is traditional [4]. agro-ecological conditions of the area [1]. Traditionally,
Sheep rearing is one of the main cash income sources fattening of animals in both systems concentrates on male
for the farmers in our country. Fattening has been defined and female animals which are either infertile or have
as intensive feeding of highly nutritious feed to promote finished their reproductive cycle.
fast growth and fat deposition to achieve desired carcass According to Estefanose Tadesse et al. [7] findings,
growth and quality [5]. Fattening Programs aim to realize about 72.5 % of sheep marketing is based on an eye
maximum growth rate and higher carcass yields in a estimation of the weight and on the traditional evaluation
minimum period of time, which would raise production of condition score and about 21.7% of sheep marketing is
per unit of land and the value of the Livestock. Sheep on the basis of live weight using scales. The remaining,

Corresponding Author: Nurlign Mohammed, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture,

Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia. E-mail: mnurlign@[Link].
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 World Appl. Sci. J., 38 (5): 416-421, 2020

5.8% of sheep marketing uses both live weight and are used to guess the general health condition of sheep.
estimation. Constraints of sheep fattening can be For instance, black coat color is not liked by consumers in
grouped into socio economic limitation. Regarding the different areas of Ethiopia and may decrease the profit
infrastructure, Ethiopia has one of the lowest densities of margin. Rams and culled females are mainly fattened.
roads of any country, those forcing sheep in almost all Rams are fattened because they grow faster. In many
cases to trek long distance. The policy issues regarding places, castration of fattening rams is practiced with the
sheep fattening and natural resources management are intention to make them grow faster and fatter. Farmers
influenced by absence of sheep fattening policy, also recognize that castration at an early age results in
pricing policy, community organization and participation. stunted growth of the animal, thus recommend castration
The technical limitations include feed quantity and to be done for grown animals. The appropriate age of
quality, breeds of sheep, pests and disease. Therefore, castrating sheep for fattening appears not to be clearly
aim of this review is to understand fattening practices, defined but to prevent unnecessary breeding; sheep
marketing systems and constraints of sheep in case of need to be castrated at an age earlier than 3 weeks [12].
Ethiopia. There are about 14 traditionally recognized sheep
populations in Ethiopia [9].
Fattening Practices, Marketing Systems and Constraints
of Sheep Sheep Fattening System: Sheep fattening is a common
Sheep Fattening Practice: The objective of raising sheep practice in different parts of the country, though the
under feedlot system is to achieve maximum growth rate degree of fattening and resource base differs markedly.
in minimum period of time. The sheep can easily adopt Animal fattening practice should consider the general
intensive system of production under feedlot system. husbandry practice issues like major feed resources,
The best feeding option for the sheep is grazing with management practice, records and marketing system [13].
supplement feeding of high energy concentrate ration [8].
Sheep fattening is a common practice in different parts of Traditional Fattening: This fattening practice generally
the country, though the degree of fattening and resource depends on natural grazing or planted pastures with
base differs markedly. Less than 39.0 % of the farmers variable degrees of supplementation. The naturally
owning small ruminants practice some form of fattening occurring grasses, legumes, herbs, shrubs and tree foliage
before marketing and majority of the farmers sale their are used as small ruminant feed [14]. Animals require a
animals early before attaining optimum market weight long period of time to attain market weight and condition.
[4, 9]. Sheep fattening is not as labor-intensive activity as It is also associated with huge fluctuations in the weights
the fattening of large ruminants. As such, it can be and conditions of the animals depending on feed
undertaken using family labor as a secondary activity. availability. This system can be improved to supply
This is especially true for smallholder rural farmers and animals of acceptable condition to slaughterhouses for
peri-urban and urban small scale sheep fatteners whose ultimate export. The conditioned animals may also go into
labor for sheep fattening is shared with other major a finishing operation targeted to supply the local market
agricultural and household activities [10]. [14].

Selection and Types of Sheep Breeds for Fattening: Agro-Industrial Byproduct Based Fattening: Fattening of
Generally, the body condition of the sheep is the key sheep based on agro-industrial byproduct is practiced
attribute during selection of sheep for fattening; target in different areas of the Ethiopia [14]. Agro-industrial
animals with medium body condition (Body condition by-products are potential feed resources that can be used
scores of 2.25-3.0). Wide and deep body frame, height and as supplements to crop residues and poor quality natural
length, as well as coat color are attributes considered pasture based diets. These include the by-products from
when buying sheep for fattening. The primary selection flour milling, oil processing, sugar and brewery factories
criteria of sheep used for castration and fattening is body [15]. Supplementation with agro-industrial by-products
conformation followed age which determine market has been used in many developed countries for improving
demand and tenderness of meat [11]. Dentition is also locally available nutrients of feed resources. Though the
used as a basis to determine the required age for contribution to the total animal feed resource is limited
fattening. Active sheep are considered healthy. Visual (1.45%), agro-industrial by-products are one of the
inspection of the mouth, skin and areas around the anus important feed resources available in Ethiopia [16].

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 World Appl. Sci. J., 38 (5): 416-421, 2020

Management Practice of Sheep Fattening: The fattening feed for fattening sheep are roughage, agro-industrial
program should be started after the necessary feed by-products, milling by-products, local brewery
supplies are secured. Underfeeding and incorrect timing by-products, household food leftovers and screenings
are the most common causes of failures in fattening from cereals. Feeds contain five main types of nutrients,
activities. The objective in a fattening operation is to namely: protein, energy, vitamins, minerals and water.
convert as much of the feed to body tissue as possible. But, protein and energy are the most factors affecting
It is, thus, necessary to minimize the movement of animals sheep productivity. Therefore, Proteins are the principal
during the fattening period. They should be allowed only constituents of the animal body and continuously needed
limited exercise. The success of a finishing operation in the feed for growth and cell repair. The availability of
depends on the first two weeks after arrival of animals. feed resource in the highlands of Ethiopia depends on
They may have traveled long distances and will be the mode and intensity of crop production as well as
stressed, hungry and thirsty [17]. population pressure. The major basal feed in the
highlands of Ethiopia are natural pasture, crop residue
Housing System of Fattening Sheep: Housing for and stubble grazing and their contribution to the total
fattening sheep varies from fattener to fattener. Some of feed resource vary from area to area based on cropping
the sheep fatteners’ houses are attached to the side of intensity [23]. Almost all castrates (sheep) targeted for
the main house. Most of the peri-urban and urban fattening are supplemented by non conventional feeds
fatteners use a separate house for fattening sheep. such as; salt, chat left-over, food-leftover, fruit left-over
Cooperative fatteners use separate housing for sheep and brewers recipes [24].
[18]. Most housing is unclean, poorly ventilated, lack of
proper floor bedding and stocking rates are sometimes too Watering Practice: The water intake of fattening animals
high due to lack of awareness and lack of understanding depends on environmental temperature, the temperature
on the space requirement of fattening sheep by most of drinking water itself, the activity of fattening animals;
producers [19]. The site selection and orientation of the moisture content of the feed and the amount of feeds
house from the direction of wind play vital role for house fed per day [25]. When cold drinking water is consumed
construction not only for sheep. There are a number of in large volumes, the temperature of the rumen may
criteria which must be fulfilled in animal house. These are decrease, which reduces the activity of rumen
height of house, good ventilation, space distribution for microorganisms and this affects the fattening operation
each animal, roof design and materials used for house and [26].
orientation from wind direction and the floor space
requirement for covered area is 1.12 m2 and for open Marketing System: According to Estefanose
paddock is 2.32 m2 per animal [20]. Animal’s house should Tadesse et al. [7], about 72.5 % of sheep marketing is
be practically or totally protected from the direction of based on eye estimation of the weight and on the
strong winds, temperature and rainfall [12]. traditional evaluation of condition score of the sheep.
About 21.7% of sheep markets are on the basis of live
Health Care Practice: An important environmental weight using scales. The remaining, 5.8 % of sheep
challenges as a party of fattening animal health program marketing uses both live weight and estimation. Most of
is the control of internal and external parasites. So, any the people use visual estimation for purchase and sell of
effective animal health control program aims to control sheep. They believe that visual estimation (traditional
both internal and external parasites and prevention of evaluation of condition score by farmers) is the method
other contagious disease. In general, any problems which saves time and energy. Moreover, most purchasers
associated with animal health can largely prevent if proper like this method than price setting based on live weight.
management practices are followed. Therefore, the This may be because the farmers believed that they will
veterinarian involved in sheep health management fetch better price through estimation than the use of
program should have the necessary depth of knowledge weight scales. In Ethiopia, marketing of livestock and
about the elements that must be addressed in crucial on livestock products is underdeveloped.
animal health control [21]. The net commercial off-take rate has been very low
over different time periods for sheep for smallholder
Feeding Practice: According to Umberger [22], nutrition farmers and pastoralists in Ethiopia [27, 28]. The marketing
plays a major role in the overall productivity, health and system must provide information flows from the
well-being of the sheep flock. The major sources of consumer back to the producer through the processing

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transportation and storage function, the producer In most of the areas of Ethiopia, liver fluke
responds to the price signals by producing commodities (Faciolia hepatica and Facila gigantic) is mentioned as
of relative quantities [29]. Markets can be classified the main health problem for sheep [10]. To minimize risks
depending on the purpose of the animal buyers into for associated with disease there is a need to enhance the
reproduction, for resale and for consumption, [29]. service delivery system and ensure availability of
In Ethiopia the marketing process in general follows a enough health services. Strategic deforming and
three-step system with primary, intermediate and terminal proper vaccination must be developed and in place.
markets through which marketable animal and animal Risks associated with predators and theft can be
products pass from producers to small traders and on to minimized using proper housing [19].
large traders or butchers. However, most producers sale Poor marketing information and problems of credit
their stock and livestock products at local markets directly facilities reduced the benefit gained by the smallholders.
or consumers or small traders at relatively low price [6]. In Ethiopia, the marketing of livestock and livestock
products is underdeveloped. The major problems are the
Fattening Cycle of Sheep: For most rural and peri-urban traditional management systems which are not market
and urban sheep fatteners, the fattening activities are oriented, underdeveloped marketing systems and poor
seasonal. This is mainly associated with market demand infrastructure, poor financial facility and presence of
seasons for fattened sheep and to a smaller extent due to cross-border trade [30]. This may have an impact on the
feed availability for fattening. Some of the rural farmers are farmer not getting the price they deserve for sale of sheep.
use 2 to 3 fattening cycles commonly. The dominantly 2 Half of sheep market information comes from visitors, but
fattening cycles practiced by majority of rural, peri-urban a few from traders. Market information from traders and
and urban fatteners in the target two peak demand visitors has its own impact on profitability of product
seasons for fattened sheep that are highly profitable. brought to market by farmers [31]. Buyers are often price
The length of sheep fattening varies depending primarily setters. Major problems related to marketing of sheep are
on the availability of sufficient and quality feed for characterized by strong seasonality and subject to
fattening. If there is good management, sheep takes three fluctuation. Demand and price increases during festival
rounds of fattening in a year (120 days are required for period’s, Estefanose Tadesse, et al. [7].
each round [20].
CONCLUSIONS
Constraints of Sheep Fattening: Among most sheep
fatteners, feed ranked first as a constraint. Feed shortage The objective of raising sheep under feedlot system
is one of the limiting factors for increasing production is to achieve maximum growth rate in minimum period of
and productivity of small ruminant in most of the time and to increase the income of small holder farmers.
agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia. In the extensive The marketing system of sheep are predominantly
lowland crop–livestock system, feed availability in terms characterized as producer-consumer and followed by
of quantity as perceived by farmers is better than in other producer-local trader-consumer in some extent. The most
ecologies. This could be due to the vast grazing land fattening activities of sheep are seasonal due to lack of
available. Poor nutritive values of feeds lower the market. Among most sheep fatteners, feed ranked first as
production capacity and fertility potential of animals [25]. a major constraint. Feed shortage is one of the limiting
The system of feeding of animals for mutton production factors for increasing production and productivity of
varies in different agro-ecological zones of the country. small ruminant in most of the agro-ecological zones in
It depends up on the availability of resources in terms of Ethiopia. Water shortage also the other major constraints
grazing area, land for cultivation of fodders, facilities for in quantity and quality can cause different problems like:
hay making and provision of concentrate feed [8]. - constipation, drying off of digestive tract, low milk and
Water problem in the amount and the quality can related products and low metabolic activities with lowered
cause different problems including constipation, drying body condition (emaciation). Liver fluke (Faciolia hepatica
off of digestive tract, low milk and related products and and Facila gigantic) is mentioned as the main health
low metabolic activities with lowered body condition problem for sheep. The major constraints are the
(emaciation). Water shortage is seen in most low land traditional management systems which are not market
areas in which a limited amount of rain fall is available at oriented, underdeveloped marketing systems and poor
a time in mid altitudes. infrastructure, poor financial facility and presence of

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 World Appl. Sci. J., 38 (5): 416-421, 2020

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