Guide

to Improved Cattle, Sheep, Goat and Poultry

Husbandry Practices for Smallholder Farmers
in South Sudan
Foreword

F and Food Security, and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries are mandated to ensure that the people of

Agriculture Livestock Extension Policy (NALEP) and launched the process of developing the Comprehensive
Agriculture Master Plan (CAMP) through which many projects will be implemented.

and livestock rearing that our smallholder farmers and families depend on is improved.

community based extension workers at both county and payam levels.

The process was rigorous. I am assured that the three guides (crops, livestock and the general guidelines) are

country.

I am delighted that these guides in the form of booklets will now be used across the country.

Hon. Dr Lam Akol Ajawin

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
The Republic of South Sudan

2
Preface

T
across Africa but most especially from the East African sub region. The European Union through the South Sudan
Rural Development Programme (SORUDEV) funded and facilitated the process.

states and was validated twice in the equatorial states of Yei and recently in Juba Juba in May 2016. Throughout

and relevance were checked and improved on.

namely Sorghum, Maize, Rice, Sesame, Cowpeas, Groundnut, Beans, Cassava, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes and

‘Tayo Alabi
Facilitator

3
CONTENTS
Foreword 2
Preface 3
Introduction 4
A Cattle Husbandry
Characteristics of cattle breeds 5
Management of dairy 6
Feeding dairy animals 7
Making pit silage 7
Routine practices in cattle management 10
Cattle Breeding 11
Selection of cattle for meat production 12
Milking Cows in South Sudan 13
Post Milking Practices 14
Common Diseases and their control 14
Notifiable diseases 15
Marketing Cattle 18
Hides and Skin 20
Range Management 21

B Keeping Sheep and Goats

Introduction 23
Common breed of sheep and goats in South Sudan 24
General management practices 25
Feeding 25
Goat Milk 26
Common Diseases of sheep and goats 27
General diseases control measures 28
Marketing of sheep and goats 29

C Poultry Keeping
Introduction 32
Selection Criteria for breeding 32
Improving local poultry breeds 33
Management and production systems 33
Poultry housing 34
Poultry feeding 34
Equipment 35
Composition of poultry feeds 36
How to formulate a ration 37
Other routine practices 38
Intensive management practices for improved layers 39
General health care management 40
Vaccination against common diseases of poultry 41
Common Poultry diseases 41
Marketing 44
Livestock Husbandry Guide kept together in small spaces can
also cause damage to vegetation;
Introduction
 Social factors include the fact that

T
raditionally, South Sudan is a livestock- most cultural practices (including
rearing country. It is estimated that there weddings and religious festivities)
are about 11.7 million heads of cattle are densely intertwined with rearing
nationally. Cattle are a very important cattle;
source of livelihoods and an important asset
to households and to the cultures of most  As regards gender, most cattle are
tribes. They could also make an important owned by men, to the exclusion
contribution to the country’s GDP. Many of women who nonetheless play
households rear cattle as an important a very important role in livestock
source of income, food (both beef and milk), management (including duties such
social security (a safety net), social status, as milking, disease identification,
manure (for soil fertility) and draught power assembly of manure, warming of
for tillage and transportation. Horns can be livestock and cleaning of the kraal).
used to make glue and bones used to make
animal feed and buttons. Cattle are also a Common cattle types and breeds in South
good source of biogas. Sudan

Environmental, social and gender-related The types of cattle kept by herders in South
factors involved in rearing cattle in South Sudan are categorised according to use.
Sudan include: Broadly, there are four types of cattle: beef,
dairy, dual-purpose and draught.
 Environmental factors: Cattle
contribute to the build-up of Cattle breeds in South Sudan and East
organic matter and soil fertility, Africa can be either indigenous or exotic.
which can improve vegetation and Broadly, the two commonly kept cattle
help cultivated crops to thrive. breeds in Greater Bahr-el-Ghazal are the
However, cattle rearing also causes Ankole and the Zebu. The characteristics
overgrazing, putting pressure on land and geographical spread of the two breeds
that may lead to degradation. Stray vary and cattle in South Sudan are more
animals that do not have herders can specifically categorised according to 5
cause damage to crops and pollute types: Nilotic, Toposa, Murle, Mangala and
common water points, especially Lugbara.
during migration. This can lead to
conflict. In addition, cattle that are

4
Livestock Husbandry Guide
Characteristics of cattle breeds in South Sudan

Breeds Live weight Purpose Geographical distri-

Ankole Cows: 300 to Beef Long horns Lakes State,

(original 450 kg
name) Milk Mostly white Jur River,
Bulls: 450 to
550 kg Marriage Northern Bahr-el-
Ghazal,
Ceremonies Humped
Warrap
Barter trade Resistant to many diseases

Tolerant of extreme heat

Zebu Below 250 kg Beef Colour varies Lakes State (most
common)
Milk Late maturing
Jur River
Limited milk
Northern Bahr-el-
Resistant to many diseases Ghazal

Warrap

The types of cattle kept by farmers are often

Beef cattle should:
hopes to derive from them. Therefore, most
 Be from a good dam and sire;
cattle are kept for dairy produce, beef and
 Have dangling testicles;
breeding.
 Be unrelated to cows in the herd (to
avoid inbreeding);
Selection criteria for dairy, beef and for  Have good conformation for beef
breeding cows production (blocked shape);
 Be free of any deformities;
The following characteristics should be
 Be free of disease.
considered when selecting cattle for various
purposes. Breeding cattle should:
Dairy cattle should:  Be fertile;
 Have well-developed hindquarters;  Be a regular breeder giving birth to
 Be of wedged conformation live calves;
(diagram);  Be a good producer of milk;
 Have a well-developed udder and  Have a well-developed udder;
evenly placed teats;  Be docile and easy to handle;
 Be docile and easy to handle;  Be free of disease and ecto-parasites.
 Have a deep, long body with wide,
well-sprung ribs;
 Have a long lactation period;
 Be free of disease.

5
Livestock Husbandry Guide
d. Should have a concrete surface;
Management of dairy cattle e. Should use locally available materials;
f. Should include access to pasture;
Housing g. Should offer protection from thieves
and raiders.
In South Sudan most cattle are kept in cattle
camps under an extensive system and the 2. Semi-intensive system:
intensive- and semi-intensive systems of a. Should be built on well-drained
rearing cattle are not currently common. This ground;
is seen as a drawback by dairy enterprises. b. Should be located near a water point;
In the extensive system of cattle rearing, c. Should include access to pasture;
cattle are commonly kept by each family in d. Should offer protection from thieves
a large hut known as a tukul or lwak (often and raiders.
the biggest in a compound).
Feeds and feeding
It is equally common to keep the animals Cattle are ruminants who feed mainly on
in camps (often called “Cattle Camps”) in roughage (grasses and legumes). Cattle
which they are tethered (by a rope around feed should be sufficient in both quantity
their necks) to a peg. It is not unusual to and quality. Cattle feeds should contain a
combine herds belonging to various owners good mixture of carbohydrates, proteins,
where a set of youths secure them. Under vitamins and minerals and roughage. Cattle
this system, food and water are provided will naturally graze on green pasture, but
regularly (animals are often led in one will also do very well on supplementary
group and grazed together) and since many concentrate feeds. Dairy cattle require more
small herds are kept together, it is easier concentrate than beef cattle.
for veterinary extension officers to provide The commonly available animal feeds are
advice and treat animals as requested. as follows:
However, no buildings are constructed to a. Green forage: These include
protect the cattle from the sun or rain. established natural pastures (toch),
fodder crops (sorghum), legumes
After a while, the camp (which will have
and vegetables (such as pumpkins
become littered with heavy layers of dung)
and sweet potato). Moringa is
is rotated to enable the owner of the land to
increasingly becoming popular;
cultivate crops on it. For the well-to-do who
b. Farm by-products: These includes
also own a herd, the rotation of fields meant
stalk and dry grasses, as well as
for crop cultivation (for use as cattle camps
vegetables such as okra, pumpkins,
for a few weeks at a time) to allow for the
sweet potato and moringa;
build-up of manure is one of the benefits of
c. Preserved animal feeds; These
collaboration. It is also common to keep a
include hay (dry grass) and silage;
number of dogs in the camp to scare away
d. Agro-industrial by-products: These
wild animals and thieves.
include brewers’ waste, blood meal
Factors to consider when constructing for increased protein and bone meal
shelter for cattle under the two other systems for minerals. Cattle are also given
are as follows:
e. Mineral (or salt) licks that provide important
1. Intensive system: minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
a. Should be built on well-drained
ground and easy to clean;
b. Should face the direction of the wind;
c. Should be located near a water point;

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide
The most common method of feeding cattle - Supplementary feeding is
in South Sudan is free-range grazing, with recommended in the form of
many of the owning communities being concentrates;
nomadic or agro-pastoralist. This method
is relatively cheap where green grass is - Mineral licks should be provided,
available, but it can create conflict between The improvement of dairy cattle feeding
crop farmers and livestock keepers. It also systems should start with a reduction in
places a lot of stress on the cattle, thereby the distance over which dairy cattle are
reducing their milk production capacity. walked. Stall feeding should be introduced
Milk production in cows can be improved by confining the cattle in feeding paddocks
through: where grazing is controlled. Other methods
of improvement are:
a. Use of cereal crop remains and stalks
as feed; a. Rotational grazing (cows are moved
b. Feeding of hay during the dry season; from one field to another in rotation);

c. Silage; b. Strip grazing (animals are confined to

one area, fed sufficient grass for one
d. Improving feeds with additives such day then moved to another section);
as molasses and mineral licks;
c. Set stocking (cows are kept in
e. Supplementary feeding with a single paddock using a semi-
concentrates, minerals etc. intensive system). A one-hectare plot
on a large farm is preferred. Animals
Commonly used grasses and legumes on should be rotated (different cattle in
which cattle graze are: the paddock each week) to avoid the
- Appach grasses in swampy areas; build-up or infestation of worms. 0.25-
- Sorghum; 1.3 acres of good pasture should be
- Sudanese Grass; provided per cow.
- Hyparrhenea (jaragua);
- Legume plants such as centrosema Feeding regime
and calopogonium. Recommended ratios are as follows:

Green grass
Feeding dairy animals
- Dry cows: 25-30kg/day
- Local dairy animals should naturally - Milking cows: 30kg/day
adapt to feeding on natural pasture;
- Pregnant cows: 25-30kg/day
- The pasture should be free of any
larvae which may eventually cause Making pit silage for cattle
an infestation of worms (such as liver
fluke and a number of other internal Silage is made from high-quality pasture or
parasites); crops, preserved through tightly controlled
fermentation and fed to cattle along with
- Feeding troughs must be cleaned on good management. A grade cow may eat
a regular basis; up to 30kg of silage per day. To make good-
quality silage which can be fed to cattle
during the dry season, it is important to plan
far ahead and to pay attention to detail. The
steps involved in making silage are set out
below:

7
Livestock Husbandry Guide 5. Dilute 1 litre of molasses with 3 litres
of water. Sprinkle this mixture over
Steps involved in making pit silage the layer of chopped forage. Use
1. Dig a shallow pit on slightly sloping a garden sprayer to distribute the
ground. The depth of the pit should solution evenly. This helps to feed
decrease from the higher end of the micro-organisms that will make
the slope to the lower end, giving a the silage ferment quickly, thus
wedge-like shape. The dimensions preventing rotting;
of the pit depend on the amount of 6. Press the forage down with your feet
forage to be stored. In order to store to force out as much air as possible.
20 bags of fresh forage, you need to This will prevent fungi from attacking
dig a pit of about 2 cubic metres, buy and destroying the forage;
10 metres of polythene and about 30
litres of molasses; 7. Add more bags of the chopped
feed, sprinkle diluted molasses and
2. Using a chaff cutter, chop the forage compact the forage again. Repeat
to be preserved into pieces of about this process of adding forage, diluted
1 inch in length; molasses and compacting until the
3. Place polythene sheeting over the pit is filled in a dome shape;
sides and floor of the pit so that the 8. Cover the pit (after a final pressing)
forage won’t make contact with the with polythene sheeting to keep water
soil; from seeping into the silage and dig
4. Empty the chopped forage into the a small trench around the edges of
plastic-lined pit and spread it into a the pit;
thin layer. Repeat this until the pit is 9. Then, cover the pit with soil. A layer
filled to a third of its capacity (6 bags);

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide
of 24 inches is required for wet, fresh animals be neat, clean and in full working
fodder and a layer of up to 36 inches attire (overalls, gumboots, gloves, etc.).
is needed for drier forage. This should
keep the air out and prevent damage
to the polythene by rain, birds and
rodents; Other routine practices include the
following:
10. Conservation through fermentation
takes several weeks. Wait until there Flushing: This is a management term for the
is a shortage of feed to start using provision of high-quality feed in sufficient
the silage. When prepared well with quantities prior to the start of breeding
good sheeting and sufficient soil (in order to improve reproduction) and
cover, silage can last up to 2 years; immediately after gestation. The rule of thumb
is to flush for 30 days before and 30 days
11. To remove feed, open the pit at the immediately after parturition. The purpose
lower end of the slope. Remove of flushing in cows is to obtain an optimal
enough silage for a day’s feeding ovulation rate and better implantation,
and put the cover back. leading to an increase in calving percentage
(percentage of multiples).
Watering
Flushing also improves the condition of the
Water should be constantly available to cow to the extent that she should be able
cattle to quench their thirst and improve to re-conceive within 3 months after calving.
their digestion. When using a free-range During late lactation and early pregnancy
system access to water can often be a the cow’s nutritional needs are low and
challenge, especially during the dry season weight may even be lost. Good nutrition is
in most parts of Greater Bahr-el-Ghazal. essential at all times during pregnancy and
This is one of the reasons why cattle are early lactation since it will lead to the birth
herded to areas that are rich in rivers and of a strong calf, the production of sufficient
fresh grasses. It is important to ensure that milk for the calf, the resumption of regular
the water given to cattle is clean and fit for oestrus (heat) within 3 months of calving
animal consumption. Water in troughs must and increased chances of re-conception
be changed on a daily basis and the trough within that period (the ideal being that a cow
itself kept clean to avoid contamination. should calve with a condition count of 3.5
to 4).
Routine practices in cattle management
Steaming up: This is the practice of
Treatment: Treat sick animals promptly providing extra rations of carbohydrates,
and without delay. It is a good practice to proteins and minerals to cows in the late
conduct regular de-worming to control stages of pregnancy in an attempt to
internal parasites and to spray the bodies promote maximum production of milk from
of cattle to control external pests. Timely the very beginning of lactation. Feeding
vaccination is a pre-requisite. Sanitation usually begins about four weeks before
is required to control pests and diseases the due date.
and to ensure that milk is safe for human
consumption. Therefore, general cleaning Vaccination: This is the practice of using
and maintenance of animal housing is vaccines to prevent disease. Vaccines are
important. inactive organisms that are introduced
into the body of an organism to build its
This can be difficult to enforce due to current resistance to specific diseases. Timely
husbandry practices in South Sudan and to vaccination of cattle (both dairy and beef)
the nomadic nature of herders. It is however is very important. Any sick animals should
important that the person who tends the undergo close daily monitoring. Examples

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Livestock Husbandry Guide

of common diseases that can be controlled De-horning/de-budding: This is the removal

by vaccination are: of the horns of young male calves. Large
a. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS); horns are removed by cutting using surgical
b. Black Quarter (BQ); or de-horning wire. De-horning is done to
c. Anthrax; reduce the risk of injury to human beings
d. Contagious Bovine Pleuro- and other animals and is usually carried out
Pneumonia (CBPP). 1-2 months after calving. De-budding is the
removal of the horn tissues of young male
De-worming: This is a routine practice calves to stop the horns from growing. This
implemented to reduce the build-up of is done using a de-horning rod.
internal parasites. It is commonly carried out
in the rainy season due to the high numbers
of insect eggs in the pasture. De-worming
Castration: This is the removal or destruction
medication can be administered in both
of the testicles of a male animal. It is carried
solid (Bolus) and liquid (drench) form. The
out to prevent inbreeding and achieve better
simple equipment used is a Bolus gun or
distribution of fats, resulting to better-quality
drenching gun/syringe. Bottles can also be
beef. The commonly used tool for castration
used for improvisation.
is the burdizzo. Castration is best done
Hoof trimming: This is the practice of cutting sooner rather than later (i.e. when bulls are
the overgrown hooves of cattle. Overgrown young).
hooves make it hard for the animals to walk
and are likely to lead to infections such as
foot and mouth disease. The commonly Cattle breeding
used tool is called a hoof trimmer.
This is the selection of stocks of cattle
with desirable characteristics for the
improvement of a herd. A superior breed is
Dipping and spraying: This is the practice
used to upgrade the herd’s performance.
of controlling ecto-parasites. It can be done
Most traditional herds in South Sudan are
by direct application of a diluted acaricide
purebred (even those kept by smallholder
chemical to the skin of the animal or by
farmers). There is very limited artificial
immersing the animal in a pool (dip).
insemination and crossbreeding of cattle at
this level and the capacity to ensure proper
artificial insemination is also limited. All
Identification: This is the practice of marking crossbreeding is therefore done through
animals using different methods for easier natural means.
identification. Methods include branding
and ear notching, cutting and tagging. It is
Selection of cattle for breeding
commonly done to animals who are at least
a year old. Since most cattle kept are of pure stock,
breeding occurs naturally within the herd.
Selection is done through the observation of
Culling: This is the practice of removing old qualities exhibited by the cattle and based
or non-productive stock from the herd for on the experience of herders. The choice
slaughter. of cattle to breed depends very much on
whether the cattle are used for meat or for
milk production.

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide
Heifers mounted by another animal (rather than
moving away). Other signs include eating
A heifer is a young female cow who has not when other cows are resting, urinating more
yet calved. It is important to select heifers frequently and moving around more than
on the basis of the dam’s milk production other cattle. The vulva of the cow will turn
and the potential of your sires (bulls kept reddish. Appetite may be reduced and milk
for breeding). The heifer should be properly production will drop significantly. Bloody
grown and free of genetic abnormalities. mucus may leak from the vulva for 1-3 days
Those that conceive before 24 months of after heat.
age should be retained. If the aim is to use
the heifer as dowry in future, it is important
to consider her colour (e.g. in Warrap Selection of cattle for meat production
State, black-and-white heifers are usually Both in South Sudan and across the sub-
preferred). region, one of the primary reasons for
keeping cattle is that of meat production.
While the slaughtering of cattle for household
Cows consumption is not a common practice in
Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal or some other
The most important economic trait to look regions of South Sudan, cattle meat is very
for in a cow is her milk production rate. The well accepted by all religions, customs and
current average daily milk production of a cultures.
cross-bred cow is around 5.5 litres, but A good meat-producing bull should:
among the pure traditional breeds commonly i. Be from a good dam and sire;
kept by agro-pastoralists in South Sudan, ii. Have dangling testicles;
farmers rarely get more than 2 litres per day. iii. Be unrelated to cows in the herd
to avoid inbreeding;
A good milk-producing cow should:
iv. Have good conformation for beef
1. Have well-developed hindquarters;
production (blocked shape).
2. Be of a wedged conformation;
3. Have a well-developed udder; Please note that the selection of bulls should
4. Be docile and easy to handle; be based on the objective of the farmer. If
5. Have deep, long body with wide, the aim of selection is beef production, the
well-sprung ribs; bulls selected should be from a relevant
6. Be from a known ancestral line. ancestral line. If the aim is milk production,
the farmer should select bulls from a milk-
Signs of oestrus (heat) in cows producing line.

A cow is in oestrus (heat) when she shows

signs that she is ready to be mated. During
this period it is important that herders are
observant since oestrus is short in cows
(lasting only 16-20 hours). Cows are most
likely to show they are in heat between 6pm
and 12 midday. It is thus important that cows
and bulls be left together overnight.

Usually, the main sign of oestrus is that

the cow will stand and allow herself to be

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Livestock Husbandry Guide

Milking and milk hygiene surface. If a cow is affected by mastitis, she

should be milked last and the milk disposed
Milk is the main output of the dairy enterprise of.
that is produced for human consumption.
Farmers must ensure that milk is produced The following practices should be observed
in clean and hygienic conditions as it is during milking:
an ideal medium for the development of - Milking containers must be
bacteria and other microorganisms. Milk sterilised before and after use;
contamination may occur as a result of:
- All milking containers must be
- Cow faeces coming into direct made of aluminium or steel;
contact with the milk;
- The udder must be washed
- Infection of the cow’s udder (mastitis); before milking;
- Bovine diseases (e.g. bovine - Milking salve (ointment/oil)
tuberculosis); must be applied to the udder
if it is too dry.
- Bacteria that live on the skin of cows;
- Environment (e.g. faeces, dirt and Milking cows in a South Sudan cattle
processing equipment); camp
- Insects, rodents and other animal
vectors; Pre-milking preparation

- Human activity (e.g. via cross- The following steps should be taken in
contamination from soiled clothing preparation for milking:
and boots).
1. Ensure the milking utensils are clean.
As a result, diseases can easily be They should be washed with warm,
transmitted during the production, handling clean water and detergent. The use
and marketing of milk, leading to serious of seamless/stainless steel utensils
public health issues. The milking herd is encouraged. Where steel materials
should therefore be free of diseases such are unavailable, clean traditional
as mastitis, brucellosis etc. The commonly containers can be used such as
used milking method in South Sudan is the guards and calabashes;
stripping/pulling of teats. In other cases
(when the herd is mainly cross-bred), the 2. The milk handler should wear
preferred method is squeezing. The farmer protective clothes (preferably white)
needs to check for mastitis using a strip cup and maintain good personal hygiene;
or another improvised container with a black
3. The milking area should be clean and
the floor concrete or rough;

4. The cow should be calmly prepared

for the milking process at a fixed/
regular time. The udders should be
cleaned using a warm, clean towel to
stimulate the descent of the milk. The
cow should also have been well fed
and watered prior to milking;

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide

5. The cow should be given special feed to stimulate milk descent (e.g. concentrates, licks,
fresh sorghum or maize stalks or Moringa leaves).

Post-milking practices

1. Weigh the milk immediately after milking;

2. Check for foreign materials in the milk and sieve;
3. Pour the milk into a special container. The container should be lidded and made
of seamless or stainless steel or aluminium. The milk can be preserved using
a cold system (refrigeration), can be fermented (to make yoghurt) or can be
processed into other end products. Milk should be boiled and pasteurised
before consumption.

Pasteurisation of fresh cow’s milk

Consuming raw milk is dangerous and may cause diseases in humans such
as brucellosis, etc. This is because it is likely to contain harmful bacteria
such as Brucella, Campylobacter, Listeria, Mycobacterium bovis, Salmonella,
E.coli, Shigella, Streptococcus pyogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica. It is therefore essential
to pasteurise milk to make it safe for human consumption. This involves heating the milk to a
particular degree over a certain period. The change and variation in temperature kills most of
the disease-causing pathogens.

The following steps are common among cattle herders:

- Collect the milk in the morning in a clean, preferably steel container;
- Strain the milk with a sieve to remove all large particles;
- Place the milk in a clean pot and heat in a water bath until the milk is hot (75%) but
not boiled;
- Set the pot to cool (40%);
- Store the milk in a cool, dry place in a clean bottle or container that is securely
covered or sealed;
- Drink or refrigerate the milk on the same day.

Healthcare management

Wherever the incidence of disease is reduced, productivity and profitability in both beef and
dairy farming will improve. For the control of all diseases and pests affecting cattle, it is vital to
contact your local veterinary officer. Drugs should never be administered without the advice
of a vet.

Common diseases and their control

Common animal diseases in South Sudan include Anthrax, Black Quarter (BQ), Haemorrhagic
Septicaemia (HS), Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia (CBPP), Contagious Caprine Pleuro-
pneumonia (CCPP), Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), East Cost Fever (ECF), Brucellosis

14
Livestock Husbandry Guide

and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), to mention a few.

Diseases are broadly classified as either notifiable or non-notifiable. Notifiable diseases are
diseases that must be reported immediately to the authorities in case of an outbreak. Non-
notifiable diseases are those that can be dealt with by community animal health workers
(CAHWs) if they pose no threat.

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide

Name of Disease Signs and Symptoms Treatment/Control

Contagious bovine In milking cows, there will be a Use of Tylosine or Oxytet-
pleuro-pneumonia treatment of sick
(About Hok)* to isolate themselves from the animals, culling
of the animals if
cows and heifers may abort. Suf- CBPP is chronic
ferers will experience diarrhoea,

They will stand with their front legs

apart facing the wind
Anthrax One month be-
fore the disease
(Jok Nhial) breathing, extreme weakness and - period
ing of carcasses,
oedema of the tongue and throat.
avoidance of grazing in
anthrax-prone areas

The carcass will be very bloated

- -
caemia ver (40-42.5), depression and hot, - animals, vaccina-
painful swelling of the throat. mycin
(Marool) before the dis-
There may be bloody faeces, diar- ease period)

out and dark red. Death occurs

Black Quarter - Annual vaccina-

agnosis (OTC or penicillin),
(Machac) severe lameness and swelling of to 3 years of age)
the upper leg. Breathing may be
accelerated and the skin of the af-
fected becomes dry, hard and dark.
Death occurs within 24 to 36 hours
Foot and Mouth Dis- Provision of plenty of wa-
ease (Dat) ter, shading of the animal,
rough and the forefeet lame. cleaning of wounds, provi-

There will be blisters on the tongue

and above the hooves that break
and ulcerate. Cows may experience

East Coast Fever Parvaquone Tick control,

lethargy, swollen lymph nodes

movement to
cough and a clear discharge . Death ECF-prevalent
occurs in 12 days areas

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Livestock Husbandry Guide

Name of Disease Signs and Symptoms Treatment/Control

Trypanosomiasis Homidium chloride (No- Control of animal
(sleeping sickness) vidium and Ethidium), movement,
Samarine burning or com-
and an aversion to the sun. They
may have sunken, watery eyes and dung to keep
swollen lymph nodes, strange-
smelling urine and diarrhoea

Foot Rot Disease Washing and removal of

centre of their hooves, lameness
and swollen joints -

muddy areas
Brucellosis Signs and symptoms are late-term It is advisable to cull the
animal

joints

General disease control measures

- National quarantine procedures must be followed in order to avoid disease transmission;

- Animals must be vaccinated regularly (i.e. a vaccination calendar and treatment
procedures must be clearly followed);

- A proper feeding regime is very important since it boosts the immunity of an animal;
- Pasture should be well managed in order to avoid infection by disease-causing
organisms/agents;

- Regular and timely dipping/spraying is recommended;

-

Common communicable diseases from cattle to humans (Zoonosis)

1. Brucellosis (Ringworm):

- Ringworm is a skin infection caused by fungi. Animals catch ringworm through direct
contact with an infected animal or through being in an infected environment;

- Ringworm is a contagious disease of cattle, goat, sheep and wild animals and can also
affect human.

- Humans become infected by eating or drinking contaminated, unpasteurised milk

products. The milk of infected sheep, goats and cows is contaminated with ringworm
bacteria. If the milk is not pasteurised, the bacteria can be transmitted to people who
drink it or eat cheese or other dairy products made from it. Humans can also contract the
disease when slaughtering infected animals or during the processing of contaminated
organs from freshly killed, brucellosis-infected livestock or wildlife.

16
 Livestock Husbandry Guide

2. Anthrax:
Humans may acquire tuberculosis
- Anthrax is a bacterial disease. The from unpasteurised dairy products.
bacteria form spores that can survive
for years in the environment. Cattle, Common parasites of cattle and their
sheep and goats are at particular risk; control
- People develop anthrax when the
organism enters a wound in the Common parasites of livestock in South
skin, is inhaled via contaminated Sudan can be categorised as internal
dust or is consumed through eating parasites and external parasites
the undercooked meat of infected
animals; i. Internal parasites (endo-parasites)

- The disease can be prevented in tapeworms and cysts. Signs of the

humans by making sure not to open presence of gastrointestinal worms
the carcass of an animal that is include emaciation, loss of weight
suspected to have died from anthrax. or appetite, blocked or damaged
It is recommended that the carcass organs, diarrhoea and coughing.
be disposed of by deep burial. Internal parasitic infestation can be
controlled by applying de-worming
3. Tuberculosis treatments before animals are moved
cattle, bovine tuberculosis to grazing areas and at the beginning,
- In
is caused by the bacterium middle and end of the wet season;
Mycobacterium bovis which is ii. External parasites (ecto-parasites)
present in the respiratory secretions,
faeces and milk of infected animals.

Name of Symptoms Treatment

parasite
The life cycle involves a snail host.
swamps, creeks, lakes or method is to kill the
(Fasciola - streams that harbour snails.
Controlled grazing should Triclabendazole is ef-

snails of all ages

Avoid areas that might have Clorsulon -

been frequented by infected
animals, including goats and
sheep
Tapeworm No known method of pre- Deworming

weight
Hookworm No known method of pre- Deworming

weight
Roundworm Clean pens and ensure ani- Deworming
mals are well fed and healthy
weight. Young animals show stunted
growth and development, swollen

17
Livestock Husbandry Guide
from food items, clothing, medication and
Control of livestock parasites schooling to the purchase of breeding stock
and other production inputs and supplies.
- National quarantine
procedures must be followed
in order to avoid disease Marketing of cattle and their products
infestation;
- Markets for livestock and livestock
- Animals should be regularly
de-wormed and dipped or advance, i.e. before venturing into
sprayed according to a strict production;
calendar;
- A study should be conducted of the local
- Livestock housing should be markets to establish the appropriate
kept clean as this boosts the time to sell livestock (marketing weeks/
immunity of animals; days) in a particular location;

- Pasture should be well - Appropriate licences must be obtained

managed in order to avoid from local authorities (meat inspection
cysts/pest infestation;

- Animals should not be grazed sale of livestock and/or the operation

of livestock sale points;

- All livestock products being sold on

the local market should be clean and
Marketing of cattle and products in
properly packaged;
South Sudan
- The sale of milk that is adulterated with
Marketing is an important aspect of any
livestock system as the mechanism whereby
meat products soiled with grass, twigs,
producers exchange their livestock and
leaves etc., is prohibited by law and
livestock products for cash. The cash is
must be avoided;
then used to acquire goods and services
which farmers do not produce themselves - Livestock should be sold in designated
in order to satisfy a variety of needs ranging holding yards.

Structure of cattle markets in South Sudan

Type of market Main sellers Main buyers Purpose of purchase

Livestock owner, Other livestock keepers,
middlemen
Local butchers Slaughter
Traders
regional markets
2. Secondary distribu- Traders, middlemen Butchers Slaughter
Traders Resale in terminal markets
3. Terminal markets Traders Local slaughterhouses Slaughter
Traders Export

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide

NB/it is important for pastoralists to monitor o It can help herders to work like
prices in the surrounding markets in order to cooperatives;
secure the best price for their animals. o It can help organise adult literacy
sessions.
Formation of Herders’ Associations
 Register all cattle owners in the camp
Herders’ Associations can be set up to (often they have their own laws);
manage livestock and associated resources
such as water and pasture. It is also easier to  Encourage them to write down their
request veterinary services when in a group. laws and agree to abide by them;

There are currently no legal policies  Identify their leaders and encourage
regulating herders’ associations in South members to rotate leadership after
Sudan. Functional and effective herders’ one or two terms;
associations are therefore required do the  Allow them to assess their own
following: capacity to manage their herds and
 Identify and register all cattle camps ask them in which areas they need
in the Boma; more knowledge and information on
cattle management;
 Inform them of the advantages of
registering all animal herds in the  Link them to the Department of
area: Cooperatives of the relevant Ministry
at which they can be officially
 Educate them on the importance of recognised certified as a herders’
formalising their membership as an group or association.
association and how it brings the
following advantages: Agro-pastoral farming practices
o It makes livestock movement This is a production system whereby
control easier; livestock farming is practised alongside crop
o It facilitates livestock identification farming. The farmer keeps both livestock
(branding); and crops concurrently, but in separate
geographical locations. The two forms of
o It makes it easier to organise production can complement each other
livestock health management in that livestock feed on crop residue and
activities, e.g. vaccination crop farming benefits from the application of
campaigns; manure and the use of animal traction.
o It helps increase power to lobby The majority of farmers in South Sudan are
Government for technical support agro-pastoralists, who grow arable crops in
to the improvement of the livestock the rainy season as well as rearing cattle.
industry;
In South Sudan, based on the seasonal
o It facilitates the resolution of calendar, livestock are brought to herders’
conflicts; homesteads to feed on plant residues and
provide manure for the farms. They are also
o It can help introduce savings and allowed to graze in the fields following the
credit among herders and even harvest. This system provides the household
enable them to obtain loans from
with both crops (cereals and legumes) and
financial institutions such as rural
milk for protein.
or commercial banks;

19
6
Livestock Husbandry Guide
This practice has the following advantages to ensure effective utilisation of
and disadvantages: both animal and crop resources
at household level.
Advantages of the agro-pastoralist system

- During the dry season, animals

can be moved to the homestead Hides and skins
and kept in the crop farm in order
to provide manure; These can be a valuable source of
income if properly cured. The value of
- Livestock can feed on crop the hide is always equal to a quarter of
residue, which is a good source the value of the animal. Unfortunately
of dry roughage; the cattle owner never receives the
full price due to poor processing and
- Local population are provided surrogate practices, e.g. poor flaying,
with access to dairy and meat curing and drying.
products;
Hides and skins can be of important
- It enhances the income of economic and cultural value to local farmers
livestock keepers since cash can if well utilised. The following key benefits
be generated through the sale of can be accrued from hides and skins:
dairy and meat products;
Economics
- It provides easy access to
livestock herds for vaccination - The sale of raw hides and skins
and treatment during the dry to local processors can be an
season. important source of income for
local farmers;
Disadvantages of the agro-pastoralist
system - Improving the quality of hides
and skins can enable them
- It can contribute to the spread of to fetch higher prices on both
invasive weed species; local and national markets as
- Cattle can destroy unprotected local tanneries can buy them for
perennial and ratoon crops such further processing (into leather
as cassava, fruit trees etc. products).

Recommendations

- Animals brought to the homestead Domestic and cultural uses

should be kept in specific areas - Hides and skins are processed
reserved for the controlled to make water storage containers
accumulation of animal manure; (girba in Arabic);
- Pits should be dug for the - Hides and skins are traditionally
storage of animal manure to used as bedding materials;
reduce ammonia loss through
volatilisation; - Local communities use skins to
carry children and household
- Local farmers should be items;
encouraged to use compost
manure to fertilise crop farms; - Hides and skins can be used to
make drums;
- The use of draught power (ox
ploughs) must be encouraged - Hides and skins can be used as
clothing during ritual occasions.
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 Livestock Husbandry Guide
Hide and skin processing in South Sudan can be threaded. A large skin may need up
to 34 holes, which can be made using either
To obtain a good-quality skin or hide, a knife or a punch. Skins should be hung
specific slaughtering and flaying in the shade with the flesh facing outward.
procedures must be followed. It Holes can also be punched along the edge
should be ensured that: of the hide and twine used to attach it to a
a. An appropriate (and drying rack. Alternatively, the hide may be
appropriately sharp) knife is left to dry on the ground.
used; The following steps should be observed:
b. The knife is held properly; - The skin should be stretched
c. The carcass is flayed tightly on the ground or drying
immediately after slaughter rack;
(while still warm); - Traditionally, ash is applied to the
d. The hide is kept free of blood hide or skin in order to remove
and manure; excess fat;

e. Cutting, gorging and scouring - In Sudan and South Sudan, the

are all avoided; hide or skin is soaked for 3-4 days
in a solution made using Garath
f. The skin/hide is pulled or seeds (Acacia spp). The seeds
beaten off whenever possible; are removed from the pod, the
pod is ground and the powder
g. Long (not short) cuts are made mixed with water;
with the knife.
- After 3-4 days, the skin or hide
is removed from the solution. All
The following steps should be observed: remnants of hair, meat and fat will
remain in the solution;
Skinning the animal: Skinning is the process
of separating the skin from an animal using - The hide/skin is taken out for
local knives or blades. drying and is ready for use within
a few days.
Fleshing the skin/hide: This is the process of
scraping off the flesh and fat, which keeps Folding: Hides should always be folded with
the hide from rotting. The hide should be the hair on the inside to protect the grain
fleshed immediately after it is cut from the (the most valuable part) and avoid cracking.
animal’s body. This also reduces contamination by dust,
rain etc.
Dry the skin or hide: The hide should be
dried out for a few days to prepare it for Storage: Whenhidesarenotto be dispatched
tanning. Drying depends on the thickness immediately for sale, they should be stored
of the hide and the amount of moisture in and sprayed or (as an alternative) brined;
the air. Natural drying takes about 14 days. Grading: This is the process of judging
Hides that have been trimmed after flaying the quality of hides and skins via thorough
will also need to be trimmed after drying to inspection of the skin.
give them a good shape.
Managing conflicts arising from cattle
Trimming and lacing: This involves making rearing in South Sudan
holes all around the hide or skin through
which strings or ropes made from the hide A conflict is a misunderstanding or
disagreement between two or more parties

18
Livestock Husbandry Guide
or persons. In South Sudan, conflict - Formation and strengthening
resulting from cattle herding and rearing is of herders’ associations and
a major problem which has been known capacity building of peace
to spiral into inter-generational, inter-clan committees.
conflict and recourse to revenge. Livestock
keeping in South Sudan has been highly
associated with internal conflict due to theft Range management (pasture/grazing
and cattle raiding. Disputes between crop land)
and livestock keepers, which are largely
triggered by inadequate water supply and A range is an extensive area of land which
the need for scarce pasture resources for contains forage grasses, legumes and other
livestock use, can persist over a very long herbage plants on which animals such as
time. cattle, sheep and goats can graze. It is also
commonly called grazing land or pasture
Most conflict arises from the raiding of land.
livestock and the lack of access to grazing
areas and water points. Other factors Range management is a livestock farming
include limited access to services such as system that is concerned with feeding
education and health. Due to the high cultural cattle with adequate grasses and legumes
significance of the herd, the resolution of in a controlled manner which leads to soil
cattle-related issues such as raiding can be improvement rather than degradation.
much more difficult than that of others. The character of a range depends on the
composition of its crop. Selected grasses
Resolving livestock-related conflict and legumes are grown in adequate
numbers. A range can regenerate after being
To resolve livestock-related conflict issues,
fed on by animals and can withstand being
the following steps are recommended:
trampled by farm animals. It is important
- Government streamlining of to avoid overgrazing and to reseed by
livestock management policies; replanting forage crops where they begin to
show depletion.
- Provision of livestock water points
in strategic areas; There are two types of rangeland:
permanent and temporary grassland.
- Provision of adequate police Permanent grassland should be fenced and
services and security to reduce grazed in rotation. The fence should provide
cattle theft and raiding; protection and should divide the land into
sections.
- Establishment of an Act of
Parliament prohibiting cattle The advantages of a rangeland are that if
rustling; properly managed, it provides rich grass
- Identification of well-mapped all through the year, thereby reducing the
stock routes to reduce agro- distance cattle have to walk in order to find
pastoral conflict; food. Rangeland is easy to manage and
saves labour, equipment use and power. It is
- Improved the productivity of important for water and soil conservation as
local animals (through breeding, the grass protects the soil against rain and
pasture, fodder development other forms of erosion. The use of rangeland
etc.) in order to enable handling can also help to mitigate much of the
of small numbers that can easily conflict arising from disputes between crop
be managed; and livestock farmers practising extensive
systems of livestock rearing.

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide

Guide
to Sheep and Goat Production for Smallholder
Farmers in South Sudan
Livestock Husbandry Guide

Introduction - Both sheep and goat skins can be

used for making leather;

S
ince time immemorial, communities
in South Sudan have reared sheep - Goats are browsers while sheep are
and goats (together referred to as grazers, which helps balance the
shoats) as complementary sources of food effects of their rearing on the local
alongside cattle rearing and the cultivation environment;
of crops. South Sudan has an estimated - Sheep can be used for cultural
12.4 million goats and 12.1 million sheep. festivals.
Sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus)
are small ruminant animals. They bring Disadvantages
many advantages to resource-poor farming
communities in South Sudan due to their - Sheep and goats tend to wander and
potentially high returns and ease of rearing. therefore require more labour to look
after them (including from children
who would otherwise be in school);
The advantages and disadvantages of
rearing sheep and goats - They can be more destructive to
perennial crops and fruit trees around
Advantages the homestead, especially in the case
of goats (because of their browsing
- Both sheep and goats are easier to
habit).
handle and manage than cattle;

- They feed on many forage plants

which makes them cheaper to
maintain than cattle, especially during Environmental, social and gender issues
the dry season; related to rearing sheep and goats

- Goats are hardy and can survive Environmental factors: Sheep and goats can
unfavourable environmental be kept in nearly all parts of South Sudan
conditions; regardless of ecological conditions. They
do not pose serious environmental risks or
- They are small-bodied animals that do threats, although their browsing nature can
not require much housing or space; sometimes become a problem. Overgrazing
- They are both a direct source of exposes soils to all forms of erosion.
food (meat and milk) and a source of Social factors: Sheep and goats are a more
income when exported as food to the important social asset than cattle. They
region (goat is popularly eaten in East are mostly slaughtered for visitors and
Africa as Nyama Choma); are consumed during many festivities and
- They have shorter gestation periods ceremonies such as marriages, christenings
than cattle (of 145-154 days or 4-5 and burials. Sheep and goats are very
months); important in times of crisis management as
they can be given as compensation or as
- They can be used as dowry and bride gifts to friends.
prices (3-4 goats are accepted as the
equivalent of one cow);

- They provide a good source of farm Gender issues: In most cases, sheep and
manure; goats are managed by women and women
are able to make decisions on their use;
however, men still maintain substantial
control over livestock assets.

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide
Common sheep and goat breeds in Selection criteria for a buck (He-goat)
South Sudan
- The buck should have a strong,
 Nilotic sheep
well developed frame and good
- Sudan Nilotic
body conformation and breeding
- Toposa sheep
character;
- Mangala sheep
- East African small sheep - Legs should be straight and well-
 Nilotic goats placed under the body, with good
- Dwarf goats (Yei) hooves;
- Saanen
- East African small goat - The buck should be healthy
(Mabenda) and free of external and internal
- Anglo-Nubian parasites;

- The buck should be chosen from

a good milking strain;
Criteria for selecting sheep and goats for
breeding - He should not be over-aggressive.

Selection criteria for a doe (She-goat)

- The doe should be well grown,

healthy in appearance and should
stand squarely on her feet;

- She must have a high frequency

rate of kidding;

- The body should be wedge-

shaped (triangular in shape) and
sharp at the withers;

- The teats must be disease-free

and well-positioned perpendicular
to the ground, providing plenty of
room for a round, well-attached
udder of a fair size;

- The ribs should be deep, denoting

the capacity to consume large
amounts of feed; Features to look for when selecting goats or
- Good body conformation is sheep for meat (Chevon or mutton)
essential for milk production; - Round and compact shape;
- The doe should have straight - Well-built body muscles;
legs.
- Large body size;
- High feed conversion ratio.
Determining the age of goats

The age of a goat can be judged from the

appearance of its front teeth (incisors) on the
lower jaw (there are no teeth on the upper

22
24
Livestock Husbandry Guide
jaw). The kid at birth, or shortly afterwards, - Pregnant and lactating shoats
has teeth on the lower jaw. These are known need more feed to produce milk
as suckling teeth and are small and sharp and help the foetus to grow;
in kids. When the kid is 12-14 months old
the central pair is shed and is replaced by - Minerals and proteins (such as
two large permanent teeth. When the kid is salt licks) are useful to their diet.
24-26 months old two more small teeth are Example of a Supplementary Ration for
shed and are replaced by two large teeth, Goats

months old there are six permanent teeth Ingredient Kilo-

and by the time the goat is 48-50 months old grams
a complete set of four pairs of permanent A source of energy, e.g. sor- 6.9kg
teeth is present. ghum, millet or maize bran
A higher protein e.g. ground- 3.0kg
nut meal or Leucaena leaves
General management Table salt (NaCl) 0.1kg
Total 10kg
Housing: Most sheep and goats are kept
outside and are tied to a stake with a long should be fed to each adult
rope (tether). 3 common types of shelter goat per day
for sheep and goats are also provided
across South Sudan. These are: i) walled

walls; and iii) built of poles with a roof. Their

attributes are as follows:

Walled and roofed Poles with a roof

- Wall of up to 1.5m high - Warm and easy to clean -

- - Animals can be fed at the fence -

- Keeps animals dry during the - foot rot disease

rainy season in reduced incidence of foot rot
- Cheap to construct
- Easy to clean
- Exposes animals to rain,
- Warm heat, cold and draughts
-
predators and thieves

Feeding

The quality of feed consumed by a goat/

sheep depends on: age, breed, sex, size
and physiological status (e.g. pregnant/
lactating).

- Goats will consume about 3-5%

of their body weight in dry matter
daily;

- Young goats will consume

relatively more than mature goats;

25
 Livestock Husbandry Guide
Watering - Males that show undesirable
genetic characteristics should be
- An unlimited supply of water must
castrated in order to prevent the
be available to shoats at all times;
inheritance of such genes by the
- Water must be clean and fit for next generation.
consumption by shoats;
Breeding
- Water used in troughs must be
Breeding is an important aspect of
changed on a daily basis and the
rearing sheep and goats for milk and
trough itself kept clean to avoid
meat production. Across South Sudan,
contamination.
breeding occurs naturally under the
extensive system. In a controlled situation,
Other routine practices a breeding objective must be clearly set out
whether one is breeding for increased milk
- Timely vaccination of sheep production or seeking to fatten the herd for
and Goats is essential to the meat production. Most livestock keepers in
prevention of diseases such South Sudan use natural selection based on
as contagious caprine pleuro- the observation of desired characteristics or
pneumonia (CCPP) and peste traits.
des petits ruminants (PPR):
Others are:
- Sick animals must be identified,
isolated and treated as soon Pure breeding: In this system,
as possible to avoid spreading purebred females (does) are run with
disease to other animals within purebred males (bucks) in order to
the flock; maintain the desired traits (colour,
size, meat, and milk qualities) of that
- Animals should be regularly
particular breed;
dewormed using a deworming
agent (e.g. Dexamethasome); Crossbreeding: This involves the
mating of different breeds in order
- Shoats should be sprayed or
to combine positive characteristics
dipped to remove ticks and other
found in the different breeds and
ecto-parasites;
develop a flock that includes hybrids.
- The condition of any sick animals
It is important to give colostrum (the creamy,
should be closely monitored on a
yellowish first milk produced after birth) to
daily basis;
the newborn animal immediately after birth.
- General hygiene, including the Young sheep and goats that take colostrum
cleaning and maintenance of develop better immunity against common
animal housing, is important; diseases as well as improved muscular
strength.
- Any humans who tend the
animals must be clean and wear Breeding in goats: Both female and male
full working attire; goats reach maturity by the age of 6
months, but they should not be allowed to
- Each animal in the flock should start breeding until they are 8 months old.
be observed and checked Female goats are readiest for mating at
for changes in behaviour or about a year old. This is found to be difficult
composure; to control in South Sudan because most
goats are kept under the traditional system
- Shoats should be debudded,
with limited supervision.
dehorned and their hooves
trimmed when necessary;

24
Livestock Husbandry Guide
Keeping milk safe for human consumption
a swollen, reddish vulva that secretes a
In most communities in South Sudan goat’s
discharge of colourless liquid. The goats will
milk is part of the staple diet of children and
be restless, will cry much more frequently
the elderly. It is vital (and a requirement in
and will try to mount each other. The heat most countries) to make milk safe for human
period will last 1-2 days and if the goat does
consumption through pasteurisation. Milk is
not become pregnant, the heat period will pasteurised by heating it to at least 62.80C
reoccur within 18-21 days. The average for 30 minutes, followed by rapid cooling
gestation period (pregnancy) in goats is
to below 500C. Following pasteurisation,
150 days. It is common for goats to deliver natural lactic acid bacteria remain in the
1-3 kids. Like all livestock, goats must be
milk. They are harmless, but if the milk is not
very well fed during gestation and the kids kept cold, the bacteria multiply rapidly and
should be well fed to enable them to develop cause it to turn sour.
quickly.
Milking containers must be sterilised before
and after milking using warm water and must
Goat’s milk remain covered. All milking containers must
be made of aluminium. Milk must be sieved
Goat’s milk is regarded as more nutritious and boiled (pasteurised) before drinking. In
than cow’s milk as it is naturally homogenised preparation for milking, the udder must be
and the fat globules contained in the milk washed before milking and milking salve
are much smaller than those in cow’s (ointment/oil) applied to the udder when it
milk. Goat’s milk is therefore more easily is too dry.
digestible when consumed. Goat’s milk
contains 12 milligrams of cholesterol per
Common diseases and their control
100 grams milk while cow milk contains 15
milligrams per 100 grams milk. Raw goat’s There are numerous diseases that affect
milk is also sweeter in taste since it contains sheep and goats in South Sudan. These
more butterfat than pasteurised cow’s milk. include Contagious Caprine Pleuro-
Pneumonia (CCPP), Sheep pox, Peste des
Petits Ruminants (PPR), Orf; Anthrax,
Rinderpest and Foot and Mouth Disease.

27
 Livestock Husbandry Guide

Diseases Symptoms Control Treatment

1 Contagious Cap- Clinical signs include fever (40-42°C), -
rine Pleuro-pneu- coughing, dyspnoea, high morbid-
monia (CCPP) ity (about 100%) and high mortality OTC)
(about 70%)
2 Sheep and goat Clinical signs include high fever and
pox symptoms of pneumonia and acute
-
larly in areas free of wool
3 Clinical signs include abnormal breath-
Ruminants (PPR) – ing with coughing, discharge from the to avoid spread. A PPR
also known as goat eyes, nose and mouth, oral sores, diar-
plague rhoea and death both goats and sheep

becoming watery, foul-smelling and

bloody. It may also contain pieces of

4 Orf (contagious Clinical signs include pustular and The lesions should be
ecthyma) scabby lesions on the lips, muzzle and
drugs. A vaccine may be
lambs used in outbreaks. Af-
fected animals should be

animals vaccinated to re-

duce the number of new
cases and shorten the

5 Anthrax A clear symptom is when animals that -

ommended. This should
suddenly without showing overt signs be done 2-4 weeks before
of ill health. Also common are fever, the onset of a known
in- period of outbreaks

breathing, followed by rapid collapse,

terminal convulsions and death.

as the nose, mouth, ears, penis and

Heart water This is the literal presence of water OTC at 10 mg

around the heart. The animals will the control of heart water. per kg per day,
become nervous and afraid of things. IM, or doxycy-
Clinical signs include hyperaesthesia cline at 2 mg per
- measure in some instanc- kg per day will
usually produce
and expensive to maintain a cure if admin-
themselves. In the acute form of heart in others istered early
in the course
anorexia and depression along with of heart water
congested and friable mucous mem-
branes

28
Livestock Husbandry Guide
General disease control measures - Overstocking should be avoided.

- National quarantine procedures must Type of Time of de-

be followed in order to avoid disease animal worming
transmission; 1st deworming All animals Late March or
early April
- Animals must be vaccinated regularly
2nd deworming Animals un- Middle of July
(i.e. a vaccination calendar and
der one year
treatment procedures have to be of age
clearly followed);
3rd deworming All animals Late October
- A proper feeding regime is very
important since it boosts the immunity - Livestock housing should be regularly
of an animal; cleaned to eliminate vectors of disease-
causing organisms
- Pasture should be well managed in
order to avoid infection by disease- - Pasture should be well managed
causing organisms/agents; and rotational grazing practised
in order to avoid infestation by
cysts or pests;
Common parasites and pests and their
control - Regular and timely dipping and
deworming is recommended.
Common parasites

The parasites of shoats in South Sudan can Marketing of sheep and goats and their
be categorised as either endo-parasites products
(internal) or ecto-parasites (external). Some
common parasites are: Traditionally, sheep and goats are sold at
local markets and often in villages. Local
 Internal parasites (endo-parasites): markets tend to be auction markets or
Ringworm, tapeworm and cysts, sales yards at which live animals are sold
among others; alive. At the butcheries, sheep and goats
are slaughtered and their meat sold in
 External parasites (ecto-parasites):
kilograms. Goat meat (chevon) in particular
Ticks (achak in Dinka language),
is a delicacy when served in a popular dish
Tsetse flies, mites and fleas among
called Chaya-be-jamur or Nyama choma
others. Ecto-parasites are mostly
while mutton is very popular for religious
vectors that carry disease-causing
festivities. When marketing, the following
germs.
should be considered:
Other common predators of shoats in South
- Identification of markets for shoats
Sudan are hyenas, foxes, baboons and
and shoat products should be done
lions. in advance (before venturing into
General livestock pest control production);

- National quarantine procedures - A study should be conducted of

must be followed in order to avoid the local markets to establish the
pest infestation; appropriate time to sell livestock
(marketing weeks/days) in a
- Animals must be regularly particular location;
dewormed and sprayed or dipped
according to a strict calendar; - Appropriate licences must be
obtained from local authorities (meat
inspection units, the public health

29
 Livestock Husbandry Guide

office, the quality control office etc.) play). Remember that you could use
for the butchery and sale of livestock a combination of methods.
and/or the operation of livestock
sale points;

- All livestock products being sold on Duration

the local market should be clean
State the time required to carry out
and properly packaged;
the training. Remember to be brief
- All sheep and goats should be sold and precise and not to waste the
at designated auction yards. participants’ time. They may lose
interest if the training takes too long
and you should not end up rushing
your lectures due to limited time.
Annexes: Pick an appropriate time for training.
Remember that your trainees will
Annex I: General outline that could be used usually be adults who have competing
for training by extension agents needs for their time so be sure to be
creative, get straight to the point and
Topic: make your points clearly.
Clearly state the topic you intend to Materials for training:
cover during this session.
List all the required materials, training
aids and possible equipment to be
Objectives used in the training. Be sure to use
illustrations as much as you can,
Start with “at the end of the topic, the especially if your trainees are without
trainees should be able to…” and list formal education.
what you want them to have learnt by
the end of the session. Content

List the specific concepts and

i) knowledge that will be part of the
training (such as common diseases
ii) of sheep and goats, for which you
may refer to page 8 of this technical
iii)
guide).

Resources
Facilitation method
State the sources of the information
State here the type of facilitation you are delivering. This is useful
method you intend to use. There to provide further reading for the
are many methods, so be specific trainees as well as a reference.
and chose the method that is most Resources can include technical
effective (this is not limited to lectures, guides (such as this one), textbooks
demonstrations, field work or role and other publications.

30
Livestock Husbandry Guide

Guide
Husbandry Guide to Poultry Production
for Smallholder Farmers
in South Sudan

Poultry Production
 Livestock Husbandry Guide
Introduction children and chickens are the only essential
domestic animals over which women have
oultry is an important source of

P both income and animal protein for

many households in South Sudan
and across Africa. Birds (poultry) play
absolute control. Decisions as to when to
eat and/or sell chickens are left entirely in
the hands of women, which can empower
them economically if the birds are of viable
a major role in the economic, social and
quality. In most cases, women have gained
religious lives of rural communities in
respect in the community due to their
South Sudan. Local poultry breeds are
contribution to their family herds through
very well adapted to the local
the sale of chicken (which enables many
environmental conditions such as heat,
women to buy small animals such as goats
cold, heavy rain and periodic shortages
and sheep). Chickens are often given as gifts
of food. Many rural households rear
or used during traditional ritual ceremonies.
chickens because they thrive in nearly
all conditions, require little space, are
easy to feed and reproduce quickly. The
economic reasons for keeping birds Common chicken breeds in South Sudan
include:
Chicken breeds are classified according to
Egg production: Eggs are an two main categories:
important source of food that is high
in quality protein and other nutrients; - Local (indigenous); and
- Exotic (foreign).
Meat production: Poultry provides
meat which is also a good source Local Breeds: These are chickens
of high-quality protein and is well traditionally raised by local communities.
accepted by many people across An example is the South Sudanese local
tribes, cultures and religions; chicken which can be broadly grouped
into 2 types: frizzled-feather or naked-neck.
Poultry manure production: Poultry
Local breeds of chicken in South Sudan are
manure is an excellent organic
often named after different tribes.
fertiliser that is used to improve
the nutrient content of soil. Poultry Tropical fowls are the most commonly kept
droppings are also useful to fish birds in South Sudan. They are tough and
farmers as they provide food for fish highly adaptable to the harsh environmental
and manure for ponds; conditions of the tropics and can scavenge
on any materials they find; hence they are
Egg shells and feathers: These are
self-reliant. They are however light in weight
used to furnish and decorate houses.
(with the male usually bigger) and females
Eggshells are also nutritious to
produce three clutches of about 15-20 eggs
animals and are a useful source of
per year. Tropical hens are very broody
calcium in animal feed;
(inclined to incubate their eggs).
Poultry products and by-products
Exotic Breeds: These are chickens from
such as eggs and meat: These are a
other regions and can be found throughout
source of income and livelihoods and
South Sudan and East Africa. Different types
can complement household income
are classified according to their origin.
from other sources.
1. Mediterranean breeds (such as the
Social and gender-related factors involved white leghorn and Egyptian Fayoumi)
in keeping poultry in South Sudan are known for their high rate of egg
production. They have an average
Chicken rearing in South Sudan is weight of 2.7kg (cocks) and 2kg (hens)
commonly associated with women and and can mature very early if well kept;

32
Livestock Husbandry Guide
2. American breeds are well known - Identify a flock of chickens
for their meat and egg production. that you would like to improve
Examples of American breeds are the to grade level. In most cases,
Rhode Island and the New Hampshire, this is done at household
both of which are very popular among level. In cases where several
poultry keepers across the tropics. households keep local breeds
The New Hampshire has an average of fowl, all households should
live weight of 4kg (cocks) and 3kg work together;
(hens). Rhode Island Reds are equally
popular due to their high adaptability; - One option is to introduce a
number of eggs from improved
3. English breeds are also known for breeds to a brooding hen by
their meat and egg production. One replacing all the local eggs she
English breed that has become very is incubating. This should be
popular is the Sussex (which has timed to start as soon as she
speckled and red varieties); begins to sit on the eggs. The
size (and particularly the smell)
4. Asian breeds are well known for their
of the eggs should be similar to
weight and meat production. One
those replaced. It is suggested
Asian breed is the Brahma, which has
to smear the eggs with milk
an average weight of 5.4kg (cocks)
fat, Shea butter, coconut oil or
and 4.6kg (hens). They lay brown
ash (all these are abundant in
eggs which are generally accepted by
South Sudan);.
consumers.
- The other option is to introduce
purebred cockerels such as
Improving local poultry breeds Rhode Island Reds or New
Hampshires to the flock of local
The crossbreeding of exotic and tropical fowls. For this to be effective, it
fowls is becoming popular among local fowl is important to remove all local
keepers in some parts of South Sudan. Local cocks from the flock. Usually,
breeds are said to be more flavoursome and one cock should be able to
therefore fetch higher prices than crossbred service ten hens.
broilers; however, it can take a long time
to raise the birds and they are often very Please note that a common setback of this
small and light. In contrast, an advantage cross breeding is the refusal of keepers to
of crossbred fowls is that they retain the eliminate the cocks in their flocks. With this
desirable characteristics of the local breed, refusal, a mix of local and improved breeds
but mature more quickly and also tend to will remain in circulation.
be heavier. For this reason they can be sold
in larger numbers at a better average price
and thus provide higher economic return to Selection criteria for breeding
the keepers.
Breeding is the practice of selecting poultry
The strategy of crossbreeding is promoted birds with good characteristics and mating
by both the Government and development them to produce a new generation with
partners. The products of crossbreeding are similar characteristics. 3 main types of fowl
said to be much improved, bigger and more (meat producer, egg producer and dual-
adaptable to the harsh climatic conditions of purpose) are used for improved breeding
the free-range system. Crossbred birds are depending on the interests of the breeder.
sometimes called grades. The steps to be The main aim of poultry breeding is to
taken to improve poultry breeds are given achieve good-quality meat, increased egg
below:

33
 Livestock Husbandry Guide
production and a healthy flock. Breeders e. Incubate the eggs well;
should be sure to do the following: f. Have a broad head (with bright
eyes, wax comb and wattles);
- Observe the external features of the g. Have smooth and strong legs;
cocks, hens, growers and chicks h. Be big and able to feed well in
to learn which features indicate a order to support her internal
healthy chicken; organs;
i. Be healthy.
- Always choose birds that are lively
and alert; Qualities of eggs suitable for incubation or
hatching
- A potentially good layer has a long,
straight back and a broad bottom; The period during which fertilised eggs
grow and hatch into chicks either naturally
- Always check the belly or navel spot (through a hen sitting on the eggs) or through
of newly hatched chicks; a mechanical method is called incubation.
- Keep new birds isolated for a few If temperature, relative humidity and
weeks before introducing them into ventilation are ideal, the period of incubation
the flock. should be 21 days. A good poultry breeder
must spend time with his/her chickens at
It is important to select good-quality cocks least daily in order to observe incubating
and hens. They should be properly selected, hens and those with chicks. Eggs that are
then crossed in order to improve the quality suitable for hatching/incubation should:
of a given flock of chickens. - Be of normal size (weighing 39-41 g
for indigenous breeds and 55-60 g
A good breeding cockerel should: for exotic breeds);
 Be big and strong with a well- - Come from good parent stock;
developed red comb; - Be clean;
 Be healthy and alert all times; - Be of similar size, weight and (oval)
 Be able to service ten hens; shape to each other.
 Be young (8 to 16 months).
Breeders should:

A good breeding hen should: - Disqualify eggs of extreme size (too

a. Be a good layer (with wide, moist small or too big);
cloacae, a wide sternum and - Disqualify eggs of abnormal shape;
space to fit 3 fingers between the - Avoid trying to hatch eggs with soft
pelvic bones); shells. The shell should be strong;
b. Show good mothering ability (e.g. - Incubate eggs mechanically (where
she should actively look for food necessary) using sunlight or an
for chicks); enclosed box with a bulb.
c. Produce 15-20 eggs per clutch;
d. Lay big eggs weighing more than
40g;

34
Livestock Husbandry Guide
environments). It is this system that the
Conditions necessary for egg incubation
Government and many development
and hatching
partners are trying to improve.
- The laying site (box or other)
should be isolated;

- Laying boxes must be of an

appropriate size;

- The box should be kept in the

shade or in dark place away
from parasites and predators;

- Dry straw should be placed in

the laying boxes;
Semi-intensive: This system is characterised
- The box should be cleaned, by higher levels of inputs and labour than
disinfected and fumigated the free range system. Feed is provided on
after each hatching; a daily basis. The farmer must provide clean
- The environment should be water and housing as well as veterinary care.
tranquil and well-ventilated; Intensive/commercialised: This is mainly
- Good feed should be done by experienced farmers with access
continuously available. to feed, health services and a reliable
market. Under the intensive system up to
and more than 5,000 broilers and layers
can be kept in a chicken house. The birds
Management and production systems are provided with preventative healthcare
Poultry production can be classified and optimal commercial feeds that account
into to 3 broad systems: for 70% of the production costs. Intensive
chicken farming is done using either the
Free range extensive or backyard: This is built-up deep litter system or the battery
the most common (and the traditional) form cage system.
of keeping birds in South Sudan. Birds
scavenge freely during the day and are
housed in sheltered accommodation at
night (either with the family or in tiny
structures inside the compound). The
system is inexpensive, requires little labour
and involves all members of the family
(chickens are predominantly managed by
women and children). A household keeps
an average of 5-30 birds with minimum
Birds in a battery cage system. (There are ethical concerns
input. growing against keeping birds in cages)
The disadvantages of this system are that Improved poultry production requires land,
many birds are lost and never found housing, access roads, continuous water
because they move freely and are exposed supply, fencing, security, transportation,
to predators. They lay also eggs anywhere equipment, a source of heat, waste disposal
they find suitable. Controlling disease
among the flock is impossible since their
movement is uncontrolled and they often
scavenge for food (and thrive in unregulated

33
 Livestock Husbandry Guide
facilities, storage space, access to veterinary The poultry house should face east to west
and extension services and market to follow the course of the sun. It is important
information, knowledge of composting, risk to ensure proper ventilation as air removes
awareness and risk management, records excess heat, moisture, dust and odours
and record keeping. from the building as well as diluting airborne
disease-causing organisms.
Poultry housing It is important for the building to be on a
Good-quality poultry housing is required to: raised floor or well ramped. Feeders and
drinkers should be cleaned daily and the
 Protect birds from danger (predators
entire house monthly. Droppings should be
and thieves);
collected regularly for use as manure for the
 Protect birds from bad weather
farm and garden.
(rain, extreme heat and strong
winds); The floor of the poultry house should be
 Provide birds with a place to sleep covered with sawdust, sand and straw.
and lay eggs; A water bath should be located at the
 Prevent the spread of poultry entrance of the poultry house and regularly
disease; disinfected. The house should be disinfected
 Enable better control and and fumigated at least once every six
monitoring of birds. months. The roof should be checked and
repaired, along with any cracks in the walls
A good poultry house should: or floor. The walls should be coated with
 Be well located and ventilated; cow dung to prevent against the build-up of
ticks.
 Be located in a fenced compound
at least 50 metres from the nearest Poultry equipment
residential area so as to avoid
pollution by noise and odours; Other equipment in the poultry house should
include night perches, laying boxes, feeders
 Have wide doors and numerous and drinkers. Birds should be monitored
windows to allow maximum daily, protected from the sun and rain, well
circulation of light and fresh air (as fed and kept warm. 1m2 for every hen and 10
well as to facilitate easier cleaning). chicks is recommended.
NB/Houses meant for young chicks should
The following equipment is required to keep
be located at least 50 metres from those
100 birds using the deep litter system where
containing older birds in order to minimise
automated machines are not available:
the risk of transferring disease.

Floor space requirements are as follows: 1. Feeding and watering:

 1m² for 10 chickens (round house) - 3 chick feeders (2 inches of

and 1m² for 5-8 chickens (wood or feeding space per bird, 3
stick house); inches deep);

 15m² for 100 chickens (i.e. 5-6 birds - 3 chick drinkers (2-litre
per metre during the laying period) capacity);
and 4m² for 25-30 chickens (wood
or stick house). - 2 chicken feeders (4 inches
of feeding space per bird, 6
inches deep);

- 2 chicken drinkers (8 to 10-litre

capacity);

34
Livestock Husbandry Guide

- Feed scoops (plastic plates or

bowls can be used);
- 2 buckets;
- 1 roll of twine (for hanging the
feeders). Day-old chicks in a brooding house
Day old chicks in brooding pen

2. Brooding
Poultry feeding
- 1 brooder box;
Food is a basic need of all living things.
- 3 kerosene lamps or 3 100-
The growth, health and performance of all
watt bulbs;
organisms is related to the amount and
- 4 rolls of plastic sheeting (for
type of food they can access and consume.
open-sided houses only).
Poultry in particular are very good at
converting feeds; therefore, the type of feed
3. Cleaning and handling of manure: they are fed will depend on the purpose for
which the birds are kept (i.e. for either meat
- 1 broom; or eggs). Feeding is more regular in birds
- 1 shovel; confined to small spaces compared to birds
- 1 wheelbarrow. which are allowed to fend for themselves
under a free-range system. Feed should be
4. Egg handling (for layers only): given to birds in balanced rations composed
of water, carbohydrate (which usually
- 1 laying nest (20 cells); constitutes about 70-80% of the feed and is
- 6 egg trays (30-egg capacity required for energy), protein (which should
each); constitute 10-40% of the feed as it supplies
- Plastic bags (for packing and amino acids and is vital for egg production),
marketing eggs). minerals (which can come from bone, ash,
shells or salt) and vitamins (which are very
5. Miscellaneous useful for building the health of birds and
are found in green vegetables).
- 1 weighing scale;
It is important to provide the right feeding
- 4 chicken crates; and drinking equipment to poultry in
order to guard against disease and
- Record books and sheets; avoid contamination. Use of the correct
equipment also avoids wastage of feed and
- 2 jute sack-loads of litter
water (which account for 60-80% of the cost
material.
of rearing birds under the intensive system).
Using appropriate feeding and drinking
equipment also facilitates the provision of
medicines or vaccines to animals via water
or feed.

Hygiene is very important in all poultry

systems. Feeders and drinkers must
therefore be provided in sufficient numbers
(to avoid competition) and cleaned before
daily use in order to avoid disease. 1 metre
of space should be provided for every 15
chickens. The feeders and drinkers should

35
 Livestock Husbandry Guide

Composition of poultry feeds and their importance

Required Role of each nutrient Sources of nutrients Locally avail- Possible results of
nutrients able food inadequate nutri-
types ents

Energy Maintenance, energy Cereal and bran Millet, sor-

and growth ghum and
(millet, sorghum corn reduced egg
and rice)
Protein Growth, meat (mus- Groundnuts, sesame, Weight loss,
cle) and egg produc- chicken soup,
reduced egg
groundnut,
termites, worms,
insects soya bean cake

Minerals Bone meal, salt and Salt, pepper Failure to produce

oyster shells and bones
and eggshells

Vitamins Green leaves Fruit, wild Poor-quality eggs,

greens
(Leucaena, Moringa, reduced resistance
Cassava) to disease
Water Important for diges- Drinkers Water Weight loss,

temperature and
cleansing of the body

Locally available ingredients that can be used in poultry feed

Carbohydrate

• Millet and sorghum are ready for immediate use and are available in most villages/
localities;

Protein

• Groundnut or sesame cake can be pounded without sieving;

• Fish can be dried and pounded without sieving;

• Blood meal: 1 matchbox of salt is added to 5 litres of blood or 1 teaspoon of salt to

2 cups of blood. The mixture is boiled until it coagulates and is then dried out in the sun

It is important that all protein feeds are served using the feeder.

36
Livestock Husbandry Guide
Vitamins

Leucaena and Cassava leaves are cut and should be dried in the shade (not in the sun) so the
leaves will keep their green colour. The leaves can either be ground or hung up so the birds
have to jump to reach them (thus providing exercise while eating).

Minerals

• Bone meal:

- Bones can be collected from abattoirs, slaughterhouses and butchers. Fish bones
can also be used;

- A fire should be set and the bones added to burn until they are coated with white
ash;

- The burnt bones should be taken off the fire and left to cool;
- The bones should be pounded into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle;
- The bone meal should be sieved, collected and rationed.
• Mixture of bone meal and salt:

- Mix 13 parts (matchboxes) of bone meal with 1 part (matchbox) of salt (ratio 13:1).

How to formulate a ration for a free range poultry system (all age groups)

Feeding birds concentrates from commercial feed makers

Ingredient Small quantity (~ 2 tins) Large quantity (~ 25 tins)

Sorghum 2 tins (1 kg) or 4 cups 3 tins or 6 cups

Millet 2 tins (1 kg ) or 4 cups 3 tins or 6 cups
Maize 2 tins (1 kg) or 4 cups 20 tins (1 kg ) or 40 cups
Groundnut/sesame 2 matchboxes 1 tin or 2 cups
cake
Bone meal/salt 1 matchbox (1 part salt with 13 parts Half a tin or 1 cup
bone meal)
Fish or blood meal 2 matchboxes 1 tin or 2 cups
Leucaena/Cassava 2 matchboxes 1 tin or 2 cups
leaves
Termites Always give to chicks Always give to chicks
Water Always provide clean water Always provide clean water

37
 Livestock Husbandry Guide
When using ready-made concentrates B) Mid-afternoon
(from commercial feed-making companies),
the following quantities are recommended  All eggs should be collected;
for both the deep litter and battery cage  Chickens should be allowed to
systems: roam in the yard and food
For 100 broilers: provided to confined birds.

- 200 kg of Broiler Starter for chicks C) Evening

aged 0-5 weeks;
 Clean water should be
- 300 kg of Broiler Finisher for chickens provided;
aged 5-8 weeks.  All birds should be shut in the
house;
For 100 layers:  Any eggs laid during the day
should be collected;
- 200 kg of chick mash (20% protein)
 Brooding hens that remained
for pullets aged 0-8 weeks;
in the nest should be identified
- 550 kg of grower mash (16% protein) and given fertilised eggs to sit
for pullets aged 8-20 weeks; on.

- For layers, mash feed consumption 2. De-beaking: This is done to chickens

will increase from 101 to 135 g per raised under the intensive system,
day between the ages of 22 and 66 who can develop a bad habit of
weeks. pecking eggs and each other.
Usually a sharp-edged blade is used
to cut the tip of the beak (two-thirds of
the upper beak and one-third of the
Other routine practices
lower beak). De-beaking should be
1. Watering: Chickens must be done carefully so as not to damage
provided with clean water every day. the nostrils of the chicken;
Drinkers should be regularly washed
3. Culling: This is the removal and
and should be placed on a raised
slaughter of birds from the flock
platform or hung up to avoid soiling
(usually, birds that are unhealthy,
of the water.
weak, poor producers, inferior or
A) Early morning aged). As soon as chicks hatch, all
those showing abnormalities such as
 Fresh water should be crooked legs, etc. should be culled;
provided early each morning;
4. Brooding: This is the provision of
 The hens’ nest should be care to chicks from the day they
checked (it should have plenty hatch until till they are about 10 days
of soft materials and be kept in old (for improved birds);
a dark place);
5. Vaccination: These are medicines
 The flock should be observed given to birds to prevent a particular
to check that all birds are disease. All drugs or vaccines should
active; be handled with maximum care and
should be administered only by
 The birds should be tamed by
offering small amounts of feed
during each visit.

38
Livestock Husbandry Guide

Suggested intensive management practices for improved layer breeds

Age of the bird
(weeks)
0 The house should be thoroughly washed and disinfected 2-3 weeks before the ar-

0-1 brooding
- management)
-
before 10 days of age
- Feeding of chicks with mash
1-2 -
-
2-4 - De-beaking (if not done at 1 day old)
-
-
4-6 -
-
-
6-8 -
brooded
-
8-10 - Changing of feed to grower mash
- Change to adult-size feeders and drinkers
- Deworming of birds
10-12 -
-
12-14 -
-
14-16 -
- De-beaking if necessary ( be sure to provide ample feed and water during the days
following de-beaking)
16-18 - Full feeding
-
-

18-19 - Transfer of birds to the laying house (be sure to leave about a week be-

>19 -

39
 Livestock Husbandry Guide
General healthcare management

Diseases and parasites in South Sudan are a major challenge to chicken production. Since
their occurrence is relatively predictable, a seasonal disease control plan can be worked on to
reduce risk. For example, Newcastle disease is common between January and April.

Sources of disease

Diseases can enter the village, town or compound through:

 Soil and air;
 Sick and dead birds in the same flock;
 Wild animals, domestic animals and humans;
 Contaminated drinking water;
 Contaminated feed;
 Unhygienic animal housing;
 Contact with markets or between villages; and
 Bird migrations.

Prevention of disease

All preventative practices should begin with hygiene and sanitation. The cleaner and more
hygienic a poultry house and its surroundings, the more chance there is of minimising diseases
and pests. To prevent disease from entering and spreading through villages or among flocks,
the following should be considered:
 A 2-week quarantine of all new poultry (gifts and purchases) in the village;
 Isolation and treatment of all sick poultry to protect others;
 Slaughter and burial of sick chickens where necessary;
 Burning or burial of dead birds;
 Disinfection of the place in which the dead bird was found.

Please note: Hands should always be washed with soap after any contact with sick
animals or after burning or burial.

The impact of poultry disease includes:

 Loss of flock and income;
 Weight loss and delayed growth among birds;
 Reduced egg production rates.

Diseases of poultry can be divided into 3 broad categories: viral, bacterial and parasitic.
Additional conditions are caused by nutritional deficiencies.

40
Livestock Husbandry Guide

Vaccination against common diseases of poultry

The table below (which is not exhaustive and is intended for use as a guide) shows common
diseases of poultry, their vaccines and the age at which to administer vaccines to birds. The

in the Ministries of Agriculture and Animal Resources. People learn best from experience and
the exchanging of lessons between farmers is invaluable; therefore it is advised that poultry
keepers make contact with others in their area.

Age of the bird Disease(s) against which

1-7 days Intra-ocular (NDV 1/0) through the eye Newcastle disease
18-20 days Gumboro Vaccine IBDV through drinking water Gumboro disease
3-4 weeks NDV Lasota through drinking water Newcastle disease
3-4 weeks Fowl Pox vaccine (FPV) through a jab in the web Fowl pox
6 weeks Newcastle disease

(repeated at 8 weeks)

Common poultry diseases

Newcastle disease (Samir, Malaac Ajith, Bololo)

General

at the beginning of winter when the weather is dry and cold (mid-November to Feb-
ruary in Bahr-el-Ghazal, February and March in the Shilluk Kingdom and March in the
equatorial area).
Chickens of all ages and (less frequently) guinea fowl and ducks
Agent Virus
Transmission Newcastle disease spreads through direct contact with respiratory, ocular and oral

Symptoms
one or both wings and legs. The bird may have a twisted neck and run in circles.

Treatment

Chickens should never be bought at market between December and March. All

should be isolated and slaughtered. Birds of all ages should be vaccinated at least 15
days prior to the known outbreak period of the disease. Sick birds should NEVER be
vaccinated.
Newcastle vaccine can be administered orally, through the nostrils or via drinking
water. It can also be injected. In a free-range system, chickens must be vaccinated be-

41
 Livestock Husbandry Guide

Fowl Pox
General Fowl pox occurs in the wet season when new corn is on the market.
Chickens (mostly chicks) and occasionally guinea fowl
Agent Virus
Transmission
Symptoms These include itching, pustules and nodules on the head and around the eyes and

be found in the mouth and throat.

Treatment Treatment is required as soon as the disease appears. Pus should be cleaned from
the eyes and mouth and cooking oil applied twice per day along with glycerine or
iodine (Betadine).

new birds respected. Poultry houses should be disinfected every 6 months.

Pasteurellosis (Fowl cholera)

General

All poultry (mostly ducks)

Agent Pasteurella bacterium
Transmission Through chicken feed, stress or poor hygiene
Symptoms

Treatment

Salmonella gallinarum (Fowl typhoid)

General

Agent Salmonella bacterium

Transmission
chicks (through eggs or droppings).
Symptoms Chickens will appear sleepy or drowsy and may produce white diarrhoea. Chicks
may have bloated stomachs.
Treatment

42
Livestock Husbandry Guide

Coccidiosis

General

All poultry (mostly chickens)

Agent Coccidian and Eimeria parasites
Transmission Through contact with chicken droppings, infected birds and contaminated feed and
water
Symptoms
likely within 10 days.
Treatment Sulphonamides, Amprolium

Internal parasites

Worms
General These present a high risk to birds.
All species (mostly young birds)
Agent Various types of worm
Transmission Through droppings and contact with the ground (insects and groundworms).
Symptoms

Treatment Deworming
Deworming should be done every 2 or 3 months and feed distributed in feeding
troughs. The poultry house, feeders and drinkers should be regularly cleaned.

Recent Diseases
It is also important to note that there are emerging diseases for which scientists have not

and if it occurs in your poultry, all infected birds should be removed and burnt in a pit.

External parasites
These may attack birds of all ages at any time, but occur most frequently in humid poultry

feather and skin irritation. Lice can be seen around the nose, mouth and belly. Treatment is
done by dusting with dry lime or ash or applying oil. Nests may be protected with dry tobacco
leaves mixed with ash.

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 Livestock Husbandry Guide

Importance External parasites are small organisms that attack the skin and feathers of a bird.

Some (such as ticks, fleas and other bugs) will drain blood and until the bird dies
from exhaustion. External parasites are also dangerous as they may transmit dis-
ease to poultry.
Transmission By contact between birds and through cracks in the floor, walls or roof of the poul-
try house
Symptoms These include loss of weight, feathers and productivity. Chickens may be noisy at
night and refuse to enter the house. They may also peck at their own body due to
irritation caused by mites.
Treatment Application of insecticide (Sepou or louse powder) to the infected area and the
environment (poultry house)

Sepou or Louse powder.

Prevention Regular cleaning, disinfection and fumigation of the house (including smearing of
the walls with whitewash to repel insects), proper fencing to ensure protection
from rain

Scaly legs

This is caused by external parasites that irritate the skin on the bird’s legs. It is common in
birds above 2 years of age. The bird’s legs will develop visible scales that will eventually cause
lameness. The disease is treated by dipping the legs in oil or kerosene (once a day) until the
scales disappear.

Marketing

Free-range farmers of local chickens do not often produce surplus eggs for sale but when they
do, the eggs are sold at the farm gate. Local breeds are very popular and frequently found on
all local markets. They are more likely to be eaten by families compared to cattle and goats.
They can be sold, bartered or given as gifts and are served in most restaurants and grills in
the major cities and towns.

Chicken is a very popular delicacy across East Africa and particularly in South Sudan where it
is known as Kuku Choma. Eggs are fried and sold by street vendors, so the demand for them
is high.

In the case of birds raised using the intensive

system (such as broilers), farmers have to sell by
the seventh or eighth week and as such are more
likely to supply restaurants and supermarkets.
Most frozen broilers found in supermarkets
are from other countries (some as far away as
Brazil). For layers, eggs are required daily and
are traded at all local markets and supermarkets.
The demand for eggs is higher than the supply in
South Sudan, with the shortage met through the
import of eggs from neighbouring countries such
as Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Livestock Husbandry Guide

Bibliography

 Achariya, Handbook of Animal Husbandry. Tamil Nadu University of Agriculture, India,

accessed 2015
 Anyanwu et al., 2008, A Textbook of Agricultural Science for schools and colleges,
page 270
 Balogun ST, 1989, Tips on Poultry Health Management, NAERLS Nigeria Extension
Bulletin, 36

workers and Trainers (ACIA and Australian Aid)
 Dafwang and Odiba, 1993, NAERLS Nigeria Poultry Management edited by J.O. Yusuf.

 JN Methu and EM Kiruiro, 2003. Making silage for more milk in the dry season, KARI
Headquarters Library
 Key Factors for Poultry House Ventilation, 5M Publishing, 2012
 Livestock and Meat Marketing. CCAHC Marketing Policy Committee, UK, 1979
 Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) South Sudan Poultry Production Training Manual, 2012
 Sileshi, Z and Desalegn, L: Sheep and Goat Flock Management. Ethiopia Sheep and
Goat Productivity Improvement Programme
 SSLLP 2002: Training Notes for Community Health Workers, Malawi
 The Merck Manual for Pet Health (Edition on poultry disease)
 Udo, M.G. 2006. Sustainable Livestock/Range Management System: A Way Forward
to the Progressive Development of South Sudan (Paper presented at a Workshop on
Environmental and Natural Resource Management in Southern Sudan, GoSS).

45
Acknowledgment

The commitment of the following organizations and individuals made this work possible. They contributed time and
technical knowledge during the writing and collation process: Food and Agriculture Organization, Concern Worldwide,
Norwegian Peoples Aid, Norwegian Refugee Council, Marial Lau Livestock Training Centre, National Ministry of
Livestock and Fisheries, Yei Agricultural Training Centre, Crop Training Centre Yei, State Ministry of Agriculture and
Animal Resources Northern Bahr el Gazal/ Western Bahr el Gazal/ Warrap and Lakes States, National Ministry of
Agriculture and Food Security, University of Bahr El Gazal, State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Central
Equatorial State, Catholic University, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Western Equatorial State, Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development Eastern Equatorial State, Welthungerhilfe, Hope Agency for Rural Development,
Veterinaires Sans Frontiere Germany, World Vision International, Yei Agricultural Training Centre, Cardno UK, People in
Need, Danish Refugee Council, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, OxPlough Farmers
Association, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.

The writing and compilation of this booklet took place in various locations and many people made technical input some of
whom we may not be able to acknowledge here. We particularly thank the following people for their direct contribution:
Carlos Hagalla Lino, Dominic Albino, James Thiop Kuei, John Chol Akot, Daniel Mabil Magai, Daniel Nondi, Akena
Ceaser Poul, Dilla Iyu Cyrus, Angok Akoy Garang, Anei Azik Arop, Lita Jackson, Lewis Karienyeh, Aker Ayoump,
Berhanu Wolde, Taban Kaps Robert, Longo Awic, Rose Dawa, Mary Khozomba, Paul Thon Akech, Peter Madut Amet,
Maror Woi Major, Agustino Uger, Phillip Dirichi, Susan Kilobia, Isaac Bazugba, Favaro Michele, Peter Deng, Joseph
Ogayo, Charles Stephen, Samuel Ajuijig, Bida Emmanuel, Ustaz Ajang, Makur Buong, William Simon Bol, Jeremiah
Omondi, Joseph Kawac, Simon Akok, Evans Owino, Pio Aport, Paul Angelo, Abbas Ibrahim, James Mathiang, Fathi
Rahman, John Makur Garang, Makur James, Abraham Andrew, Larriase Esserhinh, Samuel Deng, David Okot, Julius
Lonyong, Edwin Adenya, Dilla Iyu Cyrus, Rizig Elisama, Loius Kayanga, Aboubakar Abdullah, David Bala, Emmanuel
Samuel, Augustino Atillio, Mary Gordon, Annafelix H. Baigo, Joseph Akim Gordon, Aggrey Lokolo, Dr. Charles E. Wani,
George Kamillo, Dr. Pio Kour, Dr. Erneo Balasio, Edward Barnabe , Donato Apari, Kenyi Robert Kennedy, Santino Agany
Chan, Caroline Maua, Dr. George Leju, Michal Waui, William Atiki, John Fox, Tayo Alabi, Bongomin Cricket, Paulo
Girlando, Sebit Peter, Anthony Raymond, Mary Karanja, Juohn Maruti, Betty Koiti and also to Luisa for editing the
booklet. The following organizations supported the printing of this booklet.

“This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Ministry
of Agriculture and of Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries South Sudan and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.”

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