Small ruminant rearing in Kabylia, Algeria, and prospects for its development

Abstract

A survey was conducted to study the livestock system, feeding, farm size, main breeds reared, some production and reproduction parameters, and socioeconomic indicators, related in particular to farm viability, of 110 sheep and goat farms located in the wilayas of Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou in Algeria, from July 2016 to January 2018. The farms were of a mixed type, small-sized (less than 100 head) and meat-oriented. Feeding was based on silvopastoral resources, fodder, and supplementation with concentrates. A higher diversity of breeds was found in sheep than in goats. In addition, the Tazegzawt sheep breed (recently referenced and recognizable by its black spots with bluish hues, hence its Kabyle name) was little represented, although it would be important to preserve and improve it. Small ruminants were generally slaughtered before the age of one year, very rarely after two years. Two to four kids or lambs were born per year. The main constraints were the lack of fodder and the high cost of feed, fiber and concentrates.