In islands that are popular tourism destinations, most of the population is also seasonally engaged in tourism. Therefore, in order for sheep and goat breeding to be viable, it must:
- coexist with the tourism sector, and
- actually gain from the tourism sector.
To coexist with the tourism sector,
- the sheep and goat breeders must have the least possible work on breeding, so that they can spend more time on activities related to tourism (e.g. avoid milking during the tourist season).
To gain from tourism, the following must take place during the tourist period:
- have lambs and goats ready to be slaughtered
- have dairy products available
- properly promote the products in the tourism industry.
It should be noted that in the Ionian Islands, breeders choose not to milk their sheep and goats at a rate of more than 50%. They only breed them for the production of meat.
Moreover, on the Ionian Islands there are small cheese factories, which produce special products, despite the choice of many breeders not to milk their animals.
From the statistical processing of the data collected during the MOBILAB project, it appears that the sheep and goats give birth in two periods:
- being very young and
- much older
Taking the above peculiarities into account and in order to facilitate both cheesemakers and breeders, we must select the period we want the young animals to give birth. Because these animals will be milked, milking and milk disposal must begin at a specific time not during the tourist season. Also, the period of early births can be chosen, so that there are lambs available for slaughter at Christmas time, where demand is high and availability is relatively low. At the same time, the operation of the cheese factories for the production of dairy products from goat-sheep milk may start.
Late births can be scheduled, when there are lambs and goats available for slaughter during the tourist season. The group of older animals may include animals that produce less milk, which will be consumed by newborns until weaning and slaughter, or animals that did not become pregnant for early births.
In the Ionian Islands, the breeding system applied makes it difficult to synchronize estrus with hormonal treatment. Therefore, the male effect is proposed as the method of choice for the synchronization of estrus. This method is already in use up to a certain extent. However, there are small details or adjustments, that if taken into account, the results shall be much better.
The actions that must be done before mating are:
Male and Female
- we single out the animals ready for slaughter and special attention is paid to lean animals
- the SUITABLE deworming & vaccinations are done
Females
- at least 8 weeks must have passed since the previous birth
- we separate younger from older animals
Males
- nail trimming where needed.
For the mating period
Ewes
Separate rams from ewes: 50 days (7 weeks) before the selected mating period. Appropriate diet (good fed) of rams.
Allow the rams back in the herd 3-4 weeks before the selected mating period. Mating begins (first fertile estrus - mating) about 3 weeks (18-24 days) after the males are allowed back in the herd.
Goats
Separate the male from female goats: 70 days (10 weeks) before the selected mating period. Appropriate diet (good fed) of male goats.
Allow the male goats back into the herd: 4-6 weeks before the selected mating period. Mating begins (first fertile estrus - mating) about 4 weeks (23-30 days) after the males are allowed back in the herd.
The rate of synchronization of estrus this way, in both ewes and goats, is less than what we can achieve with the use of hormonal treatment. However, it is less tedious and cost-free.
Example 1. To have 10-12 weeks old lambs for slaughter for Christmas (slaughter 10-20 December) we must:
- separate males from females on March 18
- allow males back in the hard on April 15
- have the mating period between 6 and 16 of May
- have the births between 1 and 10 of October
Example 2. To have 10-12 weeks old goats for slaughter for Christmas we must:
- separate the males from females on March 6
- allow the males back in the herd on April 10
- have the mating period between 6 and 16 of May
- have the births between 1 and 10 of October
Example 3. In order to have lambs available for the summer (June - August) the animals must be divided into 2 groups (for June, July and August) and:
- separate males from females on September 16 (for lambs in June) or on October 16 (for lambs in July - August)
- allow males back in the herd on October 10 (for lambs in June) or on November 10 (for lambs in July - August)
- to hold the mating season for November (for lambs in June), and December (for lambs in July - August)
- have births between 1-30 April (for lambs in June), May 1-30 for lambs in July and August (older lambs for slaughter).
ATTENTION!
- In older animals, if it is not possible to divide the animals into groups, then one group can be formed. In this case, the lambs that are ready for slaughter in August shall be older.
- The initial date (separation of males from females) is determined by the time we want the births to take place.
- We can transfer the initial date (separation of the males), but we also need to transfer all subsequent dates.
- The date of getting the males back in the herd may be transferred for a maximum of 1-2 days from the suggested one.
- The separation of males from females for the proposed time in each case, and the good feeding of males is very important for the success of the synchronization of estrus and births.
Alternatively and if there is enough staff and money, hormonal protocols can be suggested with fewer (melatonin) or more handling (many options). For more information you may contact the Institute of Veterinary Research.
Dr. Theodora Tsiligianni
Director of Research
Institute of Veterinary Research
HELLENIC AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION - DIMITRA
