Vol. 10, Issue 2, Part B (2025)

Author(s): Usha S and Mahesh T

Abstract: The study was conducted on housing and feeding management practices of Mecheri sheep in western semi-arid region of Tamil Nadu covering 100 sheep farmers in 20 villages. Majority of the sheep farmers (57%) followed the extensive system of management. Nearly 98% of the farmers offered open paddock type of shelter to animals. All sheep-folds (100%) had no waterer. Most of the sheep-folds (79%) were away from residence. Nearly 37% of the farmers provided tarpaulin sheet cover to sheep fold during winter season. Most of the farmers (80%) allowed animals for grazing up to 9 hours and above. The grazing time was highest (12 hrs) in summer and lowest in rainy season (10 hrs). Generally, Sheep (45 %) covered a grazing distance of 3 to 5 km. The mixed flock of sheep and goats sent for grazing were around 13%. In the present finding, 98% lambs started grazing before 2 months of age and 2% after 2 months. Most of the sheep farmers followed in zero input system to rear sheep flocks. The study revealed all the farmers (100%) offered drinking water during grazing. Mineral mixture and salt licks were not provided to sheep by 87% sheep farmers. Most of the farmers (45%) feed sheep with cotton fibre waste from ginning mills during summer due to fodder scarcity. Adoption of overall feeding practices among sheep farmers do not meet the scientific standards. Hence, these practices need to be improved to a greater extent by adopting training and demonstration to increase production potential in this zone. Provision of subsidies to sheep farmers and ensuring a constant water supply in this region for farming activities may help them to increase the production.