Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, School of Veterinary Science, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-178).

Thesis (M.A. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / The study was carried out to determine influence of socio-economic factors on sheep mortality and sales constraints faced by small-scale sheep farmers of Nkangala District in Mpumalanga province. A field survey was carried out in six local municipalities of Nkangala District. Individual interviews were conducted in 132 households who owned sheep using semi-structured questionnaire. Flock size ranged from 1 – 32 sheep (mean flock size was 21.1). The estimated odds ratio shows that variables such as type of sheep housing, production methods adopted by the farmers, availability of supplementary feed and accessibility of veterinary services and extension service had high probabilities of influencing both sheep mortality and sales, whereas variables such as gender and wealth status of the farmer affected sheep sales, but not significant in affecting sheep mortality. The age of the farmer and sheep breed owned by the farmer were not significant in affecting both sheep mortality and sales. About 90 % of farmers keep sheep for income generation in order to meet family expenditures. Over 70 % of male owned large proportion of sheep across all municipalities, while females and youth were less involved in sheep production across all municipalities. Natural veld was the major source of feed for sheep flocks. In general, majority of farmers sourced their breeding stock from auction while few sourced from commercial farms. About 95 % of respondents kept indigenous sheep breeds. Particular breed of sheep was kept for various reasons which included multiple births, adaptation to environment, good temperament, and good mothering ability. Undefined breeding and lambing seasons across all municipalities was common. The majority of respondents practiced extensive production system with improper sheep housing structures and were more likely to experience feed shortage, high percentage of sheep mortality and low sheep v sales. Low income, inadequate access to veterinary and advisory services affected most of sheep producers and as a result, farmers were not able to provide supplementary feeds and medication for their animals to enhance profitability. Diseases and feed shortage contributed to sheep mortality and low sheep sales. As a result, less number and poor quality of sheep were produced. Lack of financial support and distance to market had negative effect on sales and mortality of sheep on small scale sheep producers. It was concluded that government should strengthen accessibility of veterinary and advisory services by small scale sheep producers, initiate accessible credit schemes and arrange accessible markets for these farmers to ensure sustainable sheep farming.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Animal Science, 2002. / "May 2002" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-164).

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1963 H54 / Master of Science

No description available.

I examined habitat use by desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis medicana) in the Little Harquahala Mountains, Arizona from 1989 to 1992. I compared microsites used by male, female, and mixed-sex groups. I also compared use of microsites by sheep to random sites during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. There were no differences in use of microsites between the breeding and nonbreeding seasons. However, microsites used by sheep had steeper slopes, more barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii), higher topographic position, and more foothills palo verde (Cercidium microphyllum) than random sites. I examined seasonal diets. There were no seasonal differences between the diets of males and females. Brittle bush (Encelia farinosa), desert ironwood (Olneya tesota), fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla), foothills palo verde, janusia (Janusia gracilis), Mormon tea (Ephedra torreyana), ratany (Krameria parvifolia), wild buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), grama grass (Bouteloua spp.), bedstraw (Galium spp.), borage (Borage spp.), and barrel cacti were present in diets all seasons. Barrel cactus is a seasonally important part of the diet, providing moisture during hot, dry periods. Forage selection is not a factor in the sexual segregation of desert bighorn sheep in the Little Harquahala Mountains. I examined habitat use by female sheep relative to the timing of parturition from 1989 to 1991. I compared range size and microsite habitat components of female sheep prior to and following parturition to random sites. Nineteen lambs were born to 10 females and 6 lambs survived $\ge$6 months. Lambs that died lived an average of 34 days. Five females did not raise any lambs that lived $\ge$6 months in any year. No female raised a lamb that lived $\ge$6 months 2 years consecutively. Females reduced their range sizes as lambing approached. Individual females used the same lambing areas repeatedly. Microsites used by female sheep were steeper and more rugged than random sites. Microsites used by females for 8 weeks after parturition had significantly less barrel cactus than was found at random sites. The traditional use of parturition sites in rugged terrain may outweigh the increased need for water by lactating females.

No description available.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 274-316) Examines several aspects of male reproduction in the sheep, and how these are related to fertility in the female when semen is introduced by natural mating or artificial insemination.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 290-309) Investigates aspects of the intake and utilization of barley grain and grain legume supplements by sheep fed low quality pasture hay and when grazing mature summer pastures.