TR
EN
Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study
Öz
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the population structure and diversity of small ruminants, assess the effects of farm management strategies, evaluate reproductive performance, particularly the parturition and analyze the socio-economic context of agro pastoral systems in relation to income and feeding practices.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out in three districts of Iraq's Erbil Province between March 15, 2020 and March 15, 2021. A standardized questionnaire consisting of 69 items was used to gather data from 160 small ruminant farms. SPSS version 24 was used for data analysis and a descriptive research design were used.
Results: All breeders were male (100 %) and 67.5 % were over 40 years old. Primary education predominated (70 %). Most holdings operated under extensive systems (60.6 %), while 10.6 % practiced intensive management. Concrete waterers (56.3 %) and soil-based barns (93.1 %) were common, but only 50 % performed daily cleaning. Housing was built mainly of reinforced concrete (89.4 %) and just 54.4 % of farms registered animals with the Ministry. During summer, 72.5 % of farmers grazed flocks for 15 hours per day and 46.9 % practiced transhumance. Roughage was mostly sourced externally (63.1 %), with barley (88.8 %) as the primary concentrate feed. Rams were kept year-round (90 %) and 69.4 % of breeders produced one lamb per year. Periodic dipping was common (84.4 %), but veterinary support remained limited.
Conclusion: Despite current limitations, improved and strategic farm management practices show potential to improve productivity and overall reproductive and economic outcomes on small ruminant farms in the region.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Etik Beyan
The ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Ethics Committee for Science and Engineering Sciences upon the recommendation of the board, and from the Regional Government Council of Ministers, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Erbil.
Kaynakça
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- Alhamada A, Habib I, Barnes A, Robertson I. 2017. Risk factors associated with brucella seropositivity in sheep and goats in Duhok Province, Iraq. Veterinary Sciences, 4 (4): p.65.
- Alkass JE, Juma KH. 2005. Chapter 3. Small Ruminant breeds of Iraq. In: Iniguez L (ed), Characterization of small ruminant breeds in West Asia and North Africa. vol. West Asia. International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria: 63-101.
- Alkass JE, Mayi VJN. 2011. Sheep and goats of Iraq are raised under different climatic, topographic. University of Duhok, Department of Animal Production, Duhok, Iraq.
- Bohan A, Shalloo L, Creighton P, Boland TM, McHugh N. 2017. A survey of management practices and flock performance and their association with flock size and ewe breed type on Irish sheep farms. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 155 (8): 1332.
- Chah JM, Obi UP, Ndofor-Foleng, H. M., 2013. Management practices and perceived training needs of small ruminant farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 8 (22): 2713-2721.
- Chedid M, Tourrand JF, Jaber LS, Hamadeh SK. 2018. Farmers’ perception to change and adaptation strategies of small ruminant systems in the West Bekaa of Lebanon. Small Ruminant Research, 167: 16-21.
- Corner-Thomas RA, Kenyon PR, Morris ST, Ridler AL, Hickson RE, Greer AW, Logan CM, Blair HT. 2016. The use of farm-management tools by New Zealand sheep farmers: changes with time. New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Küçükbaş Hayvan Yetiştirme ve Islahı
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yayımlanma Tarihi
31 Aralık 2025
Gönderilme Tarihi
20 Mayıs 2025
Kabul Tarihi
23 Aralık 2025
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2025 Cilt: 66 Sayı: 2
APA
Fattah, H., & Demir, A. Ö. (2025). Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study. Journal of Animal Production, 66(2), 161-177. https://doi.org/10.29185/hayuretim.1701861
AMA
1.Fattah H, Demir AÖ. Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study. Journal of Animal Production. 2025;66(2):161-177. doi:10.29185/hayuretim.1701861
Chicago
Fattah, Hewa, ve Ayşe Özge Demir. 2025. “Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study”. Journal of Animal Production 66 (2): 161-77. https://doi.org/10.29185/hayuretim.1701861.
EndNote
Fattah H, Demir AÖ (01 Aralık 2025) Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study. Journal of Animal Production 66 2 161–177.
IEEE
[1]H. Fattah ve A. Ö. Demir, “Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study”, Journal of Animal Production, c. 66, sy 2, ss. 161–177, Ara. 2025, doi: 10.29185/hayuretim.1701861.
ISNAD
Fattah, Hewa - Demir, Ayşe Özge. “Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study”. Journal of Animal Production 66/2 (01 Aralık 2025): 161-177. https://doi.org/10.29185/hayuretim.1701861.
JAMA
1.Fattah H, Demir AÖ. Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study. Journal of Animal Production. 2025;66:161–177.
MLA
Fattah, Hewa, ve Ayşe Özge Demir. “Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study”. Journal of Animal Production, c. 66, sy 2, Aralık 2025, ss. 161-77, doi:10.29185/hayuretim.1701861.
Vancouver
1.Hewa Fattah, Ayşe Özge Demir. Farm Management Strategies and Structural Characteristics of Small Ruminants in IRAQ: A Case Study. Journal of Animal Production. 01 Aralık 2025;66(2):161-77. doi:10.29185/hayuretim.1701861